Teachers’ Day Celebration: Delving Deeper into Dr. Radhakrishnan’s Legacy

Teachers' Day Celebration

Teachers’ Day Celebration

Teachers’ Day celebrated on September 5 in India every year marks the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Who is Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

Dr. Radhakrishnan was independent India’s second President. He was also the first Vice President of India. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born in a small village in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu on September 5, 1888. He was an awarded as Bharat Ratna.

Why Teachers’ Day Celebration in India Takes Place on the Date of Dr. Radhakrishnan’s Birth?

In 1962, after he became President of India, some students asked him for permission to celebrate his birthday. However, Dr. Radhakrishnan preferred that the day be celebrated as Teachers’ Day rather than approving of any elaborate festivities.

Since that time, September 5 has been observed nationwide as Teachers’ Day. Schools and other educational institutions observe the day with a variety of cultural events.

Dr. Radhakrishnan wished to recognize the value that teachers bring to society.

“Teachers should be the best minds in the country” is what the former President trusted.

On this Teachers’ Day Celebration Know More About Dr Radhakrishnan

His Educational Background

Radhakrishnan enrolled in Vellore’s Voorhees College for his high school studies. At the age of 16, he enrolled in the Madras Christian College, which is connected to the University of Madras, after finishing his First of Arts class. In 1907, he received his diploma from there, and the same college also awarded him his master’s degree.

Radhakrishnan only happened to study philosophy because he was financially strapped. All of this started when Radhakrishnan received his cousin’s philosophy textbooks from a graduate of the same college, which immediately determined his academic path.

“The Ethics of the Vedanta and its Metaphysical Presuppositions” was the topic of Sarvepalli’s bachelor’s thesis. Radhakrishnan’s dissertation received praise from two of his instructors, Dr. Alfred George Hogg and Rev. William Meston. When Radhakrishnan was twenty years old, his thesis was published.

Greatest Contributions

Dr. Radhakrishnan is revered as one of India’s finest philosophers of all time. In 1939, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

Rabindranath Tagore’s Philosophy, Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy, The Hindu View of Life, An Idealist View of Life, Kalki or the Future of Civilization, The Religion We Need, Gautama the Buddha, India and China, and a number of other important works are only a few of his most well-known publications.

Any Teacher’s Day celebration is incomplete without commemorating Dr Radhakrishnan’s birth and paying him respect.