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 observed as Teacher's 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 Teacher's Day, honoring the efforts of teachers across the country. Birth & Education 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 a Master's Degree in Arts from Madras University. In April 1909, he was appointed to the Department of Philosophy, at the Madras Presidency College. From then onwards, he was engaged in a serious study of Indian philosophy and religion, and went on to become a teacher of Philosophy. Professional Life In 1918, Doctor Radha Krishnan was appointed as the Professor of Philosophy, in the University of Mysore. Three years later, he was appointed as a Professor to King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science in the University of 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 1926. In 1929, Dr. Radhakrishnan was invited to take the post vacated by Principal J. Estin Carpenter, in Manchester College, Oxford. In Oxford, Dr. Radhakrishnan lectured 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 dealt with India's national and international affairs. He was the leader of the Indian delegation to UNESCO during 1946-52. 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 of Life, The Idealist View of Life, Religion and Society, Eastern Religions and Western Thought and A Source Book in 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 from 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 1962, 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. Teacher's Day In Different Countries China Teachers' Day was founded at National Central University in 1931. It was adopted by the central government of Republic of China, in 1932. In 1939, the day was set on August 27, Confucius's birthday. People's Republic of China government abrogated it in 1951. It was reestablished in 1985, and the day was changed to September 10. Now more and more people are trying to revert the Teachers' Day back to Confucius's birthday. India In India, Teachers' Day is celebrated on September 5, in honor of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India. The 5th of September is his birthday. On the day, senior students in schools take up the responsibility of teaching their juniors, to show appreciation for their teachers. The day is not a holiday. It involves many activities in educational institutions. Russia In Russia, Teachers' Day was celebrated on the first Sunday of October, between 1965 and 1994. Since 1994, the day is observed on the 5th of October, coinciding with World Teacher's Day, established by UNESCO in 1994. USA In the United States, Teachers' Day is a non-official holiday on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. The day is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. A number of activities are organized in schools, to honor teachers. The celebrations may continue for the entire week of May. Thailand In Thailand, National Teacher's Day is celebrated every year, on January 16. The day was adopted as Teachers' Day in the island nation, by a resolution of the government on November 21, 1956. The first Teachers' Day was held in 1957. The day is declared as a holiday in schools. Iran In Iran, Teacher's Day is celebrated on May 2. It commemorates the assassination of Iranian professor Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari. The renowned writer, a timeless teacher, was executed on May 2, 1980. On the day, students offer flowers to teachers, to honor the sacred profession. Turkey In Turkey, Teacher's Day is celebrated on 24th of November. Kemal Atatürk dedicated November 24th to honor teachers and their profession. In the profession of teaching is regarded as something incomparable and sacred. There is no holiday on this day. Malaysia May 16 is dedicated to teachers, in Malaysia. The day is celebrated as Teacher's Day in the country, with great enthusiasm. The day is called 'Hari Guru' in Malaysia and is a working day. Since times immemorial, Indians have respected and idolized their teachers. Earlier, we used to call our teachers 'Guru' and now it's the contemporary 'Sir' or 'Madam'. Nevertheless, the role of teachers has remained the same. They were, are and will continue to be our guiding light, creating conditions conducive to our overall development. We will always be thankful to them for their constructive support. It is as an expression of this gratitude only that we celebrate Teacher's Day in India. Teacher's Day is a tribute to the hard work and devotion of the teachers all year long, to educate a child. In India, teacher’s day is celebrated on 5th of September every year. Indian Teacher’s Day is dedicated to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a zealous advocate of education and one of the greatest scholars and teachers of all times, apart from being the first Vice President and the second President of India. As a mark of respect to this phenomenal teacher, his birthday came to be observed as Teacher’s Day in the country. On Teacher's day, students across India dress up as their teachers and take lectures in classes that are assigned to the teachers they represent. Sometimes, teachers sit in their classes as students, trying to relive the time when they, themselves, were students. Also, functions are organized in schools on the special day, where students present dance performances, dramas, and various other programs to entertain their teachers. This day provides for a healthy interaction between teachers and students as well. 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 observed as Teacher's 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 Teacher's Day, honoring the efforts of teachers across the country. Indian Teacher's Day History India has been celebrating Teacher's Day on 5th September, since 1962. The day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a philosopher and a teacher par excellence, and his contribution towards Indian education system. Dr Radhakhrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country". On this day, we gratefully remember the great educationist, apart from honoring all the teachers that have made our life much more knowledgeable and fulfilled, as serving as our beacons of light. GURURAJ F D LIBRARIAN bgs national public school bangalore Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more. 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