The Significance of Teachers' Day in India and the Legacy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Teachers' Day in India is celebrated annually on September 5th. This special day commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned scholar, philosopher, and one of India's most respected figures. Dr. Radhakrishnan's contributions to education and philosophy continue to inspire generations.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: A Brief Overview
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in a Niyogi Brahmin family in Tiruttani, which is now part of Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu. His family was rooted in the Sarvepalli hamlet of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. Radhakrishnan's early education took place in local schools in Thiruttani and Tirupati.
Academic Career and Achievements
Radhakrishnan's academic career spanned several prestigious institutions. He was appointed to the Department of Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College in 1909 and later became a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore's Maharajas College Mysore in 1918. During this period, he wrote extensively and completed his first book, The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore.
Philosophical Contributions
Radhakrishnan's philosophical work was grounded in Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic tradition of Hindu philosophy. He reinterpreted this tradition to provide a contemporary understanding. Radhakrishnan also served as the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta from 1921 to 1932 and the Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at the University of Oxford from 1936 to 1952.
The Legacy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Radhakrishnan's impact on Indian education and philosophy was immense. He held high administrative positions, including being the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967, the 1st Vice President from 1952 to 1962, and the 2nd Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952. His profound influence extended to his academic achievements and his role as a public intellectual.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Radhakrishnan received numerous awards and accolades throughout his life, including the knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna in 1954, and honorary membership in the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. He is also recognized for his role in founding Helpage India, a non-profit organization that supports elderly underprivileged individuals in India.
The Origin of Teachers' Day
One of Radhakrishnan's students and friends requested that his birthday be celebrated instead. Dr. Radhakrishnan suggested that his birthday, September 5, should be observed as Teachers' Day. This suggestion was taken to heart, and since then, Teachers' Day has been commemorated in India on the same date to honor the contributions of teachers.
The Government of India Honors Dr. Radhakrishnan
To honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Government of India has issued postal stamps featuring his portrait. The stamps bear the inscription 'Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan' in Telugu, reflecting his deep connection to his roots.
Dr. Radhakrishnan's Vision for India
In a quote that encapsulates his philosophy, Dr. Radhakrishnan once said, 'When we grow in knowledge and wisdom, there will be no place for tyranny or repression.' This belief in the power of education and understanding resonates with the spirit of Teachers' Day.
As we celebrate Teachers' Day, let us remember the legacy of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and his profound contributions to Indian education and philosophy. May his principles of righteousness and nonviolence guide us in the path of knowledge and wisdom.
Bharat has produced a number of erudite scholars and philosophers, and we should acknowledge their yeoman service to the nation.