Ten Facts About Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan That All Indians Must Know

In India, Teacher’s Day is celebrated every year on the 5th of September to recognise teachers’ contributions and efforts to develop society by nurturing children. The day is a commendation to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishan, born on the 5th of September 1888 in Thiruttani, Madras Presidency of the British era (now Tamilnadu).

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great scholar of philosophy and comparative religion, academician and politician. He believed that teachers play a vital role in making society a better place through proper education. They mend children into responsible citizens by imparting knowledge, guiding them through difficulties and making them individuals with solid moral values.

According to him, education could change society by eliminating unfair practices and thoughts for which transformation in the educational system was necessary. To achieve this, he suggested a student-teacher relationship that is more interactive and beyond formal degrees and books, which leads students towards the proper knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment.

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s students admired him. Once when his students and colleagues wished to celebrate Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday, he expressed that it would be a privilege if the teachers were honoured by observing the day as teacher’s day. Since then, students across the country have looked forward to this day with respect & enthusiasm. They felicitate teachers and present gifts to express gratitude for teachers who involve themselves in preparing students for a bright future.

Although many in India recognise the day for being associated with the birth of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, only a few might know his achievements. He has received several national and international awards and recognitions for his work and contributions in his respective fields. Below are ten facts about Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan that every Indian must know.

• The first celebration of Teacher’s Day was in the year 1962.
• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became the first Vice-president of independent India in 1952 and served as the second President between 1962 to 1967.
• He received Bharat Ratna in 1954.
• He represented independent India at UNESCO between 1946 to 1953.
• He served as the Ambassador of India between 1949 to 1952 in the Soviet Union (USSR and Russia).
• He served as Vice Chancellor at Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University.
• In memory of Dr Radhakrishan, the University of Oxford started a scholarship named Radhakrishnan Chevening Scholarship.
• He received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1961.
• He received Knight Batchelor in 1931 from British India.
• He was nominated 16 times for Nobel Prize in Literature and 11 times for Nobel Peace Prize.

On his birthday, let us salute Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishan, a great teacher, extraordinary scholar, extensive writer, an eloquent speaker and global thinker. His life, thoughts, work and vision are truly inspiring.