The long pending demand for Bharat Ratna for India’s national flag designer, Pingali Venkayya, is gaining momentum.
On the occasion of his 142nd birth anniversary, scholars, amateur historians, academicians and writers demanded that Pingali Venkayya (August 2, 1878 - July 4, 1963) be honoured with Bharat Ratna. The State government had recommended Venkayya’s name in 2011 for the award.
Speaking to The Hindu over the phone, former Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad opined that the people of Andhra Pradesh should stand together and voice their demand for the award for the freedom fighter. Pingali Venkayya was born in Bhatlapenumarru near Kuchipudi in Krishna district and taught at the National College in Machilipatnam.
Meanwhile, people from all walks of life celebrated Venkayya’s jayanthi by offering floral tributes to his portrait at his native village.