Vijayawada: Freedom fighter Pingali Venkayya, who is regarded as the man who designed the Tricolour, was paid rich tributes on the 98th National Flag Day celebrations organised by the Pingali Venkayya Charitable Trust at The Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati on Monday.
Honorary president of the trust and senior journalist Turlapati Kutumba Rao paid floral tribute to the freedom fighter and said that the multifaceted Venkayya designed the Tricolour and presented it to Mahatma Gandhi on April 1, 1921 during the All India Congress Committee sessions held at Vijayawada.
Dr Venna Vallabharao, recipient of Central Sahitya Academy and author of ‘Jatiya Pataka Roopasilpi Pingali Venkayya’ gave the audience the biographical details of Venkayya.
Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, CEO, CCVA, while speaking about the contribution of Venkayya to the Independence Movement, appealed to the state government that both his birthday and death anniversary be celebrated as state-level festivals to infuse nationalism among the present generation.
A message sent by Trust founder-president K.H.S. Jagadamba was read and a brochure on Venkayya was released.
K. Jitendra Babu, Indologist and advocate, AP High Court, unveiled the unknown facets of Pingali’s life including his books. Golla Narayana Rao, Secretary, Andhra Arts Academy spoke on the connection between his family and Pingali Venkayya.
Ex-servicemen A.S. Antony and Rajarao were honoured by the organisers. Pingali Suseela, Trustee presented the report of the Trust.
