Postage stamp to be released in Aug honouring Pingali Venkayya, national flag designer
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Vijayawada: To honour the memory of Pingali Venkayya, who designed the national flag, the central government will release a special commemorative postage stamp on August 2.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the stamp at an event in New Delhi on the occasion of the freedom fighter's birth anniversary.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy made this announcement on Sunday. He revealed that the original flag designed by Pingali will be displayed at the function.
The central government has invited Pingali's family members to the programme in the national capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will honour them. The Prime Minister will also interact with Pingali's family members
Born near Machilipatnam on August 2, 1876, Pingali had designed many models of the national flag. In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi approved a design during the Indian National Congress meeting in Vijayawada.
Kishan Reddy noted that there is a demand to confer Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, on Pingali Venkayya, IANS reported.
The minister said he had no information about the Andhra Pradesh government sending a proposal to the Centre in this regard.
"The issue will be examined and an appropriate decision will be taken," he said.
Kishan Reddy said the programme was being organised at a time when India was celebrating 75 years of independence.
The Central government is organising a 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to mark 75 years of independence. Tiranga yatra will be held in Delhi on August 3.
The union minister said the state governments, non-governmental organisations and all political parties have been asked to organise the celebrations in every village, city, town and every street in the name of Prabhat Pheeri from August 9 to August 13.
He said since a large-scale massacre took place on August 14 during India's partition, programmes will be organised on that day to pay tributes to those who lost their lives. Candle light marches will also be taken out.
He appealed that every house should hoist the tricolour on August 15.
Kishan Reddy also revealed the decision of the central government to organize the birth centenary celebrations of famous music composer Ghantasala.