The architect behind the Indian National Flag
Born in 1876, Venkayya served in the British Army and was influenced by Gandhian principles.
He once showcased his flag design to the Mahatma who inspired him to continue promoting Indian culture and patriotism.
Venkayya came up with saffron and green colours, but it later evolved with a spinning wheel at the centre and a third colour-white, symbolizing courage, purity, and faith respectively.
The flag features a horizontal tricolour with deep saffron, white, and green colors, with a 2:3 width-to-length ratio, and a navy blue wheel symbolizing the Dharma Chakra.
The flag, with a spinning wheel at its center, was adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1931.
Post-independence, Venkayya's contributions were recognized with a stamp and a recommendation for the Bharat Ratna.
His name lives on through the renamed AIR Vijayawada and his statue on its premises