New Delhi, August 2: Tributes are pouring in for Pingali Venkayya, freedom fighter and designer of national tricolour flag on his birth anniversary today.   Venkayya was a Gandhian contemporary, and he joined the British Army at a young age of 19 and took part in the Anglo-Boer war in Africa.It was during this time that he met Gandhi, and formed an association that lasted for more than 50 years. He lived from Aug 2 1876 to July 4 1963, and has contributed considerably towards Indian freedom struggle.

Politicians on this occasion took to Twitter to pay their rich tributes to the 'Flagman of India'.

Dharmendra Pradhan

Suresh Prabhu

Naveen Jindal

Ashok Gehlot

Reportedly, one of the last wishes of Venkayya was to see our Indian flag on top of the Red Fort. This wish was however remained unfulfilled because his family didn't have the financial condition to take him to Delhi. After his death, the Indian government to honour his contribution towards Indian freedom struggle, released his postage stamp in 2009.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2018 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).