India's tricolour flag - saffron, white, green with the Ashoka Chakra - was conceived by Pingali Venkayya, an unsung hero whose life was as multifaceted as the flag he designed. Born on 2 August 1876/78 in Bhatlapenumarru, Andhra Pradesh, he was a lecturer, geologist, agriculturist, polyglot known affectionately as "Japan Venkayya" and "Patti (Cotton) Venkayya" .

During World War I, while serving in the British Indian Army in South Africa, Venkayya realized the need for a distinctly Indian flag—prompted by having to salute the Union Jack. Inspired, he began designing flag drafts from 1916 onward, publishing over 30 designs in a booklet titled Bharatha Desaniki Oka Jatiya Patakam.

In 1921, at the Congress session in Vijayawada, he presented his design to Mahatma Gandhi. The flag originally had red (Hindus) and green (Muslims) stripes. Gandhi suggested adding white to represent all communities. The spinning wheel (charkha) symbolizing progress, was placed at the center. This version was adopted by Congress in 1931 and later formed the basis of the national flag adopted by India’s Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947 .

Despite his monumental role, Venkayya died in poverty on 4 July 1963 and received little recognition during his lifetime. Only in 2009 was a postage stamp issued in his honor, and in later years several memorials and a proposal for a posthumous Bharat Ratna were initiated—though not formally approved by the central government .

Today, schools, broadcasters, and statues commemorate him across Andhra Pradesh, and every unfurling of the tricolour carries his legacy—a silent tribute to the man who embodied the soul of modern India.