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Thought of Teachers' Day

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was one of the most distinguished diplomats, scholars and teachers of India, apart from being the first Vice President and the second President of the country.

As a tribute to this great teacher, his birthday is observes Teachers Day across India. As a matter of fact, when his students and friends asked him for the permission to celebrate his birthday, it was he who asked them to celebrate the day as Teachers day honoring the efforts of teachers across the country.Dr. S Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, at Tiruttani, forty miles to the northeast of Chennai (then Madras), in South India. His early years were spent in Tiruttani and Tirupati, both famous as pilgrim centers. He graduated with master’s Degree in Arts from Madras University. In April 1909, he was appointed to the Department philosophy, at the Madras Presidency College.

From then onwards, he was engaged in serious study of Indian philosophy and religion, and went on to become a teacher of philosophy.

Professional Life

In 1918, Doctor Radhakrishnan was appointed as the Professor of Philosophy, in the University of My sore. Three years later, he was appointed as a professor to King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science in the University Calcutta. Dr. Radhakrishnan even represented the University of Calcutta at the Congress of the Universities of the British Empire in June 1926 and the International Congress of Philosophy at the Harvard University in September 1929, Dr. Radhakrishnan was invited to take the post vacated by Principal J. Estin Carpenter, in Manchester College, Oxford.

In Oxford, Dr. Radhakrishnan lecturer the students on Comparative Religion, From 1936-39, he served as the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethic,s at Oxford University. In 1939, he was elected Fellow of the British Academy. From 1939-48, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University. He later held offices that with India’s national and international affairs. He was the leader of the Indian delegation to UNESCO during 1946 Dr. Radhakrishnan served as the Ambassador of India to U.S.S.R. during 1949-52. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

His Works

Dr. Radhakrishnan penned down a number of books during his lifetime. Some of which are like The Hindu View Life, The Idealist View of Life, Religion and Society, Eastern Religions and Western Thought and A Source Book Indian Philosophy. He had also written for some of the most reputed international journals.

Presidency of India

Dr. Radhakrishnan was the Vice-President of India form 1952 to 1962 and the President, General Conference of UNESCO, from 1952 to 1954. He held the office of the Chancellor, University of Delhi, from 1953-62. In May 1967, Dr. Radhakrishnan became the President of India, a post he served till May 1967. He was honored with Bharat Ratna in 1954. He was also knighted by the British government in the year 1931, but, he used only his academic title ‘Doctor’ throughout his life.

Teachers' Day

His birthday is celebrated in India as Teachers' Day on 5 September every year. Teachers' Day in India is celebrated on September 5, every year. Indian Teachers' Day is dedicated to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a staunch believer of education and was one of the greatest scholars and teachers of all times, apart from being the President of India. As tribute to this great teacher, his birthday is observed as Teachers' Day in India. This is not a holiday but is know for celebrations across the country. It marks the birth anniversary of formed Indian President and teacher Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. During his tenure as a President, he was approached by his students and friends and was asked to celebrate 5th September, his birthday. He rather told them to observe this day as the day as the Teachers' Day From then onwards, this day is celebrated as the Teachers' Day.

The main purpose behind Teachers' Day celebration is to make the teachers feel special about themselves. It is the time to show that you appreciate the efforts taken by them, to shape your career and channelize your knowledge to be utilized in the right way.