A Tribute to the Flag Designer
The Andhra Pradesh government has taken the bold step of bestowing ‘Pingali Venkiah Government Medical College’ to the Government Medical College at Makilipatnam. This order was announced on October 21st and seeks to honor Venkiah’s contributions towards India’s independence and his work as the sketcher of the Indian national flag.
The order, GO No. 132, goes on to emphasize that such a decision is proof of Venkiah’s devotion as well as a promise that has been made to the residents of Machilipatnam for quite some time. Medical Education Director, D.V.S.L. Narasimham has been instructed to make the relevant modifications.
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A Shift in the Dynamics of the Government
The change in name endorses the fact that the new medical college has not been named after the late chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, which was the policy of the YSRCP government before. A directive was given to this effect in August 2024 by the td-ndas to use geographic designations for new medical colleges built by government at the specific regional centers.
The official change of the name of the Machilipatnam Medical College is not only the commemoration of a greater individual in history, but also the response to the changing political dynamics in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the objectives of the state government.
The idea of changing the name of the college is in line with the current politics of the time and the urge of the government to respect the ancestors and enhance patriotism among the citizens. It equally emphasizes the need to appreciate the achievements of people who made influence in the lifetime of Indian history.
Pingali Venkaiah: A Nationalist Treasonous Soldier
Pingali Venkaiah is one of the most known Indian independence supporters and one of the historians. The design that included the colors saffron, white and green stripes was accepted by the Indian National Congress in 1921. The spinning wheel symbol, which eventually became part of the final design, was proposed by Mahatma Gandhi.
Venkaiah’s efforts in the Indian independence struggle often remain unnoticed especially when he played a significant role in the conception of the national flag. The change in the name of the Machilipatnam Medical College is one temporary measure for the endorsement of his legacy with a view to inspiring successors. This is in part how the government pays respects to Venkaiah’s great impact on India’s history whilst at the same time educating younger generations about him and his life work. This can help arouse interest and enhance understanding of the considerable efforts by our freedom fighters.
