An Indian philosopher and scholar Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975) also served as an Indian statesman. Dr. Radhakrishnan was the first Vice President of India and the second President of India. Dr. Radhakrishnan made great contributions to education; as a result, his birthday on September 5 is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.
Early Life and Education of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, Madras Presidency (present-day Tamil Nadu), in a Niyogi Brahmin family with Tamil heritage.
- His father served as a lower level revenue official, and Radhakrishnan’s early years were spent in Thiruttani and Tirupati, which were well-known for their spiritual legacy.
- Radhakrishnan was a brilliant student and was a recipient of scholarships in all stages of his education.
- He studied in K.V. High School of Thiruttani, Hermannsburg Evangelical Lutheran Mission School in Tirupati, and Government High Secondary School in Walajapet.
- With the aim of furthering his education, he went to Voorhees College and later received his bachelor’s and master’s in philosophy from Madras Christian College in 1906.
- His early education earned him the ability to explore culture and ethics, which later proved to be a strong base for his pioneering accomplishments in philosophy and education.
Academic and Philosophical Career of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- In the academic world, he is best known for his work as a scholar of philosophy, but Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is in fact one of the few modern scholars to have a global impact as an academic and a philosopher.
- Starting his career as a lecturer of philosophy at Madras Presidency College in 1909, he later taught at Maharaja’s College, Mysore, and the University of Calcutta, where he gained acclaim for his publications The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore and The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy.
- As an academic delegate, Radhakrishnan represented the University of Calcutta at several international conferences and was invited to deliver the Hibbert Lectures at Oxford, which commemorated An Idealist View of Life, published a few years later.
- His tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Andhra and Banaras Hindu Universities led to his appointment as the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford, bridging Indian philosophy with the Western world.
- His books and philosophical lectures are, to this day, an inexhaustible source of erudition and knowledge for educators, students, and philosophers alike.
Political Leadership of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s political journey started only after he had an illustrious career in academics.
- Having served as a delegate of India to UNESCO from 1946 to 1952, he also held the post of Indian Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952.
- In 1952, Radhakrishnan was elected as the Vice-President of India and served in the office for two terms, that is, up to 1962. He then served as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
- While Radhakrishnan was neither active in the Congress party nor deep into the freedom struggle, he was a revered statesman, distinguished by his invaluable insights, dedication to democratic principles, and advocacy of India’s cultural and philosophical traditions to the world.
- His term as the President of India was marked by his focus on education, international understanding, and peace advocacy. In India, September 5—the date of his birth—is marked Teacher’s Day to commemorate his contribution to education and philosophy.
Major Achievements and Honors of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Among the accomplishments and awards of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the most notable one is being knighted in 1931 by King George V as a recognition of his work in the field of education.
- In 1954, he received the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India.
- That same year, he was honoured with Mexico’s Order of the Aztec Eagle and Germany’s Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts.
- He was made an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy in 1938, and, in 1963, he was named to the Order of Merit by the United Kingdom.
- In 1968, Dr. Radhakrishnan became the first person to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship; four years prior, in 1961, he was honored with the German Book Trade Peace Prize.
- He was awarded the Templeton Prize in 1975 because of his efforts in promoting nonviolence and universal love.
- He was nominated 27 times altogether for the Nobel Prize—16 times for the Literature category and 11 times for the Peace category.
- In India, his birthday, September 5, is known as Teacher’s Day, a day marked to honor his dedication to the cause of teachers.
Legacy of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- The impact of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is evident in his multidimensional contributions as a philosopher, educator, and statesman, as well as in the role he played in shaping the modern educational system of India.
- He is best remembered for his work in comparative philosophy, where he connected the philosophies of the East and West, and championed the ideal of religious pluralism and ethical education.
- As the second President and the first Vice President of India, he conducted himself with great respect, democratic ideals, and cultural ethics.
- Dr. Radhakrishnan’s educational reforms and the celebration of the Teacher’s Day on his birthday, to honor teachers and educators, stand as a testimony of his unwavering trust in education’s role in character-building.
- Dr. Radhakrishnan’s words and thoughts are still a source of motivation for leaders and researchers as such men and women speak of the integration of the self and the cosmos, kindness, and education in a man’s entire life.
- On the global stage, he enhanced India’s diplomatic ties, always carrying the nation’s splendid and wise image.
- India and the rest of the world continue to experience the profound philosophy, education, and statesmanship Dr. Radhakrishnan immortalized and the legacy he left behind.
Teacher’s day and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Our teacher in India is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an Indian educator and the second President of India, whose birthday is on 5th September. India celebrates Teacher’s day on 5th September every year.
- Dr. Radhakrishnan is a well-known scholar especially because of his ideas on philosophy and dedication to education.
- As a professor, Dr. Radhakrishnan worked in well-known universities such as the University of Mysore, Calcutta University, and Oxford University.
- In 1962, when Dr. Radhakrishnan took office as the President, his friends and students tried to make plans to honor his birthday.
- He suggested that the day be used to celebrate all teachers and their valuable contributions to the society, instead of Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday.
- Ever since, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5th.
- One of the famous quotes by Dr. Radhakrishnan is, “teachers should be the best minds in the country.”
- Dr. Radhakrishnan also asserted that teaching is the most honourable profession and that the teachers are the nation builders and the future architects of the country.
- His legacy continues to inspire educators and students alike, highlighting the vital role education plays in building an enlightened and progressive society.
- Teachers’ Day is celebrated with various activities where students express gratitude and respect for their teachers’ dedication and guidance.
Way forward
The way forward inspired by Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan calls for education that nurtures the intellect, the heart, and the spirit. His vision integrates modern knowledge with traditional values and motivates moral as well as creative development and the scientific temper. Further ensuring that education is inclusive, empowering, and socially responsible for building a harmonious society. His approach is important in solving today’s educational problems and in developing citizens who are compassionate and enlightened.
Conclusion
Philosopher, educator, and statesman Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan made invaluable contributions to bridge Eastern and Western ideas. He is known for serving as India’s second President and first Vice President. He has worked extensively in the promotion of education and cultural heritage. The reason Teacher’s Day is celebrated is due to him, and through this day, his efforts continue to inspire people to appreciate knowledge and wisdom.
Read this article in Hindi: डॉ. सर्वपल्ली राधाकृष्णन
