India celebrates National Teacher’s Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first vice president and second president of India, who was born on September 5, 1888. The day is a tribute to his contributions and achievements as a scholar and philosopher. The first Teacher’s Day was celebrated in 1962, on Dr Radhakrishnan’s 77th birthday.
Born to a poor Telugu Brahmin family, he completed his education through scholarships. He was a true believer in education for all and despite all his contributions, he remained a teacher all his life.
Dr Radhakrishnan possessed a master’s degree in Philosophy and authored books such as The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy, The Hindu View of Life, An Idealist View of Life, Kalki or the Future of Civilisation, The Religion We Need, Gautama the Buddha, India and China, and several others.
After Dr Radhakrishnan completed his degree, he became a Professor of Philosophy at Madras Presidency College and then subsequently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore.
He served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967 and the 1st Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962.
When Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became President of India, some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday that also falls on 5th September.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan said, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5 September would be observed as Teachers’ Day.”
Since then, India celebrates, 5th September as Teacher’s Day where students pay their reverence and gratitude to teachers for their noble effort in shaping their career.
It is rightly said that Teaching is not a service, profession, or job. It is a pillar of society. Even according to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Teaching is not a profession, a way of life”. Teaching is not a profession but “Jeevan Dharm” (a way of life) and asked teachers to understand changes happening across the world so that they can prepare the new generation to face them. In fact, it is a divine responsibility to guide and enlighten. He also said that India should regain the status of ‘Vishwaguru’ (leader in education) by giving high respect to teachers whom he asked to encourage students to think critically about issues concerning the nation. Teachers determination and sincerity will shape the destiny of the nation as they are laying the foundation and the building blocks of the society.