Thread by @SadaaShree

Pingali Venkayya, hailing from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, a freedom fighter, who designed the Indian flag. An equally good geologist and agriculturist too.
Thread on another forgotten freedom fighter.

Pingali Venkayya was born on August 2, 1876 in small village near Machilipatnam. His father Hanumantha Rayudu was the village Karanam of Yarlaggada , while his grandfather Adivi Venkatachalam was the Tahsildar of Challapalli Samsthanam.

He studied in Hindu High school, of Machilipatnam, and later in Colombo. At the age of just 19 he joined the Army and took part in the Boer War. On his return he worked as plague inspector for some time in Madras and later Bellary.

He did his degree in Political Economics from Colombo, and later joined DAV Lahore, where he learnt Sanskrit, Urdu, Japanese. In fact so fluent was he in Japanese, that people called him “Japan Venkayya”.

He had a long association with Gandhi, having met him in South Africa earlier. He used to regularly attend all Congress session from 1913, and discuss with the leaders about the possible design of the National flag.

He also wrote a book “National flag for India”. And in 1916, the flag he designed was flown at the Lucknow session of Congress. The original flag had only 2 colors,Saffron and Green, it was Lala Hansraj who suggested a wheel in the center.

During the Constituent Assembly held on July 22, 1947, the suggestion was made to replace the wheel with the Ashoka Chakra, to represent our ancient culture.

Apart from the National flag, Pingali Venkayya, also played a role in many of the movements during freedom struggle, the Vandemataram movement. Home Rule. He had an undying passion for knowledge, and was always restless in his quest for learning.

A polyglot who was fluent in Telugu, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu and Japanese, Pingali Venkayya, also did a lot of extensive research on Japanese history, culture and language. He was an authority in that subject during his tenure at DAV.

He was equally passionate about Science, he did a lot of research on different varieties of cotton at Nadiguda( near Suryapet), on the request of the local Zamindar there. He came up with a special kind of cotton called Cambodia cotton.

He was equally passionate about Science, he did a lot of research on different varieties of cotton at Nadiguda( near Suryapet), on the request of the local Zamindar there. He came up with a special kind of cotton called Cambodia cotton.

He also wrote the biography of Chinese leader Sun Yat Sen. And did his diploma in Geology from Madras Presidency College, and did extensive research on Mica deposits in Nellore district.

In fact he also did extensive research on precious stones in Hampi. book “Vajrapu Tallirayi”( Motherlode) , was extensively about the minerals and precious stones found near Hampi, that in a way explains the city’s prosperity too.

After independence, Pingali Venkayya, was appointed as consultant to the Minerals Research Department, a post in which he worked till 1960, before retiring. Sadly such a brilliant scholar and genius, had a rather sad ending to his life.

His later years were miserable, he lived alone in a small hut, in utter povety. The brilliant man, who seflessly contributed to the nation, got no support from the Govt. Like many others he never got due recognition.

Forget about financial support, Pingali Venkayya was not even given due credit, for designing the national flag. The man who dedicated his life to the nation, had to live like a destitute in his last years, not even having proper food to eat.

Finally it was left to people like Dr K.L.Rao, Katraggada Srinivasa Rao, to help him out financially and also felicitating him in January 1963.

On July 4th, 1963 Pingali Venkayya, breathed his last, another great son of Bharat, passed away unmourned.

Pingali Venkayya, was a true son of Bharat, of whom we should all be proud. Not just as designer of national flag, but also his research on cotton, minerals. A polyglot and a scholar, who selflessly served the country without expecting anything.

A truly great soul. It is sad, that a true patriot, scholar like Pingali Venkayya, who selflessy served the nation, had to live the last days of his life in such a miserable state.

Incidentally Pingali Garu's daughter is still alive, recently she was met by CM Jagan with her family members.
newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-…

Pingali Venkayya Garu's granddaughter @chaithupingali
is a writer now. She was also co director for Shekhar Kammula's Fida apart from writing two songs in that movie.

@chaithupingali Pingali Venkayya Garu's death anniversary is tomorrow on July 4th, which also happens to be the Jayanti of the legendary Alluri Sitarama Raju. #Naman to these two great souls from Telugu land.

@chaithupingali Pingali Venkayya Garu needs to be known , forget rest of India, even in Telugu states, he is not known much. Man was a true polymath, expert inn cotton cultivation, gems, minerals, Japanese history and language. Unfortunate that such a brilliant mind died in poverty forgotten.

When we salute the national flag, spare a thought for the man who designed it, and unfortunately died in poverty, Pingali Venkayya. #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav #AzaadiKiNishaniyan #HarGharTiranga historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2020/08/01/pin…

My podcast on Pingali Venkayya, designer of our Indian national flag, Do check out and share.

https://t.co/HTvj4SLNQsanchor.fm/ratnakar-sadas…
gaana.com/song/pingali-v…