Teacher’s Day: Why is it celebrated?

Celebrated on September 5 every year, Teacher’s day marks the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President.

School students pay tribute to former president Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary on the occasion of Teacher’s Day, in UP’s Moradabad. (file photo, PTI).

NH Web Desk

Published: 5 Sep 2019, 8:15 AM

Engagement:196

As the name implies, this day is centred around Teachers. Celebrated on September 5 every year, this day marks the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President.

Across the country every year on September 5, Teachers’ Day is celebrated. The day is dedicated to teachers and acknowledges their contribution in shaping one’s life; something that Dr. S Radhakrishnan always wanted.

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, author, scholar, Bharat Ratna recipient and the first Vice President and second President of independent India, was born on September 5, 1888. Born into a Telegu family, a stark record in academics ever since he was young, Dr Radhakrishnan played into almost all fields of social sciences.

He was a philosophy academic, very respected in his field; and was responsible for garnering worldwide attention towards Indian Philosophy. His teaching career spanned for many years, teaching at Chennai’s Presidency College and Calcutta University; then the Vice Chancellor of Andhra Pradesh University from 1931-36. He was then called by Oxford to teach the subject “Eastern Religions and Ethics” in 1936. He taught there for about 16 years.

When India became independent in 1947, Radhakrishnan represented India at UNESCO (1946–52) and was later Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union, from 1949 to 1952. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India.

In 1952, he assumed the post of the Vice President of India. Then, in 1962, he assumed the President’s post.

Teacher’s Day is celebrated on his birthday to commemorate his work, and it is believed that Radhakrishnan considered this a privilege. He said once when some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his, i.e. their President’s birthday, on 5 September “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' Day.”

Across the country, on this day, teacher’s day is observed. With students all over the country’s schools using myriad programmes to show their reverence towards their teachers, this is a day where teachers are genuinely given recognition for their work and thanked for their contribution to shaping the students’ life and career.

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