Why 5th September is observed as Teachers' Day in India? When rest of the world celebrates Teachers' day?
Teachers' Day: India & World
In India, since 1962, Teachers’ Day is being celebrated every year on 5th September, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (05.09.1888-17.04.1975), a great philosopher, educator.
“Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be a privilege if 5th September is observed as Teachers Day”
(in reply to his students in 1962, who expressed their interest of celebrating his birthday. He was President of India at that time) [1-2].
- Teachers' day is celebrated to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the teachers for their crucial roles towards our society.
- Dr Radhakrishnan had high regards for the teachers and believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country" and "the right kind of education could solve many ills of society and the country".
Life of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan [3-4]
- Born on 1888, in a Telugu speaking poor family of Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh (erstwhile Madras Presidency)
- Did his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Philosophy (Madras Christian College, 1909)
- He was appointed as teacher/ professor in Department of Philosophy, Madras Presidency College's(1909), University of Mysore (1918), University of Calcutta (1921), Manchester College, UK (1929)
- Received knighthood (1931)
- Vice Chancellor of Andhra University (1931-1936)
- Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) (1939-1948) [3]
- Member UNESCO's Indian delegation (1946-1951)
- Member of the Indian Constituent Assembly (1947-1949)
- Rajya Sabha member (1952)
- 1st Vice President (1952–1962) of independent India
- Received Bharat Ratna award (1954) (highest civilian award in India)
- Second President of India (1962-1967)
- Passed away on April 17, 1975, in Chennai
He authored several books:
Rabindranath Tagore's Philosophy (1918), The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy (1920) etc. Total list of books can be found in Goodreads and in Books by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- He was great teacher, administrator, writer, education reformer, philosopher and President. He popularized Indian philosophy worldwide through his books, lectures and while representing India abroad
- The birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (5th September), as per his wish, is being celebrated in India as Teachers' day to express gratitude to the teacher community for their role in nation building
However UNESCO declared 5th October as World Teachers' Day to mark the anniversary of one of its crucial meetings (1966) regarding teacher community[5].
Reference
[1] Gopal, Sarvepalli. "Radhakrishnan A Biography." (1992) Oxford India.
[3] https://www.vedantu.com/biography/sarvepalli-radhakrishnan-biography
Comments
Post a Comment