Teachers’ Day: Remembering Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan On His Birth Anniversary

By- Md. Mojahid Raza

Bhubaneswar: Teachers’ day, which marks the birth anniversary of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is celebrated in India every year on September 5. All of us have been students during our lifetime and have immensely benefitted from our teachers. Teachers impart knowledge and motivate students towards the right direction, enlighten them and create responsible citizens and good human beings. They are the cornerstone of our future. Teachers’ Day is an occasion to pay reverence to our teachers and conveying them that they hold special respect in our hearts. Celebration of Teachers’ day is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude and thankfulness to the teachers who have played a significant role in shaping our lives.

The history of Teachers’ day in India dates back to the year 1962 when Dr. Radhakrishnan, a great teacher, philosopher and educationist, became the second President of India. When Shri Radhakrishnan got to know that his students were planning to celebrate his birthday, he replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ Day”. And ever since, his birthday is dedicated to all the teachers across the country and celebrates their contributions which have played a major role in shaping the lives of millions.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in a middle class family at Tirutani in Madras presidency (now Tamil Nadu). It is said that his father did not want him to learn English and instead, wanted him to become a priest. However, he did his schooling at Tirupati and then Vellore, Later, he enrolled to study philosophy at the prestigious Christian College in Madras. Always enamoured by philosophy, Dr. Radhakrishnan went on to become a great philosopher and educationist in the future.

After getting a degree in philosophy, Dr Radhakrishnan joined as a professor at Presidency College, Chennai. His vision, foresightedness and philosophical style of teaching made him very popular among his students. Soon, he was offered a professorship in Calcutta University when he was less than 30 years old. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936 and was appointed the Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University in 1939.

In 1952, Dr. Radhakrishnan became the Vice President of India and in 1962, he was made the Head of the State for five years. For his remarkable contribution in the field of education and philosophy, Dr Radhakrishnan was felicitated with several awards including a Knighthood in 1931, the ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1954 besides an honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. He passed away in 1975 and since then he has been nominated 11 times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

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