Plea to honour creator of Tricolour

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 17. The Telugu Desam Party member, Mr. K. Rama Mohan Rao, today demanded that a statue in memory of the designer of the national flag, Pingali Venkaiah, who died in poverty in a small hut in Vijayawada, be erected in Parliament. Due to alleged apathy of the Central Government, which did not sanction freedom fighter's pension or any other benefit to his family, his daughter - the only survivor - earns her living by selling papads and pickles.

Making a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Rao said the most pitiable thing was that neither Venkaiah nor his family members could afford to take him to Delhi to realise his dream of seeing the national flag flying on the Red Fort.

Joined by DMK Members, the TDP Member said apart from sanctioning pension to his family members, a lesson on Venkaiah should be introduced in school curriculum.

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Section  : National
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