ndia has been the land of great saints, scholars and thinkers. One of these great personalities was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was not only an ideal teacher but also a philosopher, writer, politician and became the second President of independent India. His birthday, 5 September, is celebrated as Teachers’ Day all over India.
In this essay, we will learn in detail –
- Who is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan? 5 points
- Why is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Teachers’ Day?
- Who is Dr Radhakrishnan?
- Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Essay
Who is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan? (in 5 Points)
- Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great philosopher, teacher and writer.
- He became the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and the second President (1962–1967).
- He was born on 5 September 1888 in Tirutani village of Tamil Nadu.
- He considered teaching as the highest service and considered education as the basis of life.
- His birthday is celebrated as Teachers’ Day all over India.
History of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (Who is Dr Radhakrishnan?)
Dr. Radhakrishnan was born in a middle-class Brahmin family. His father wanted him to do Panditai, but he was interested in studies and philosophy. He received his early education in Tirutani and Tirupati and then took bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Philosophy from Madras Christian College.
He was extremely talented from a young age. He studied Western and Indian philosophy deeply and conveyed them to the public in simple language. That is why he was called the true messenger of Indian culture and philosophy.
Biography of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Full Name: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Born: 5 September 1888, Tirutani (Tamil Nadu)
- Father’s Name: Sarvepalli Veeraswami
- Mother’s Name: Seetamma
- Education: Philosophy from Madras Christian College
- Profession: Teacher, philosopher, writer, politician
- Position:
- Vice President (1952–1962)
- President (1962–1967)
- Death: 17 April 1975
Why is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Teachers’ Day?
When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the President of India, some of his disciples and friends expressed their desire to celebrate his birthday specially on 5 September. Then he politely said:
“If you really want to celebrate my birthday, celebrate it as Teachers’ Day.”
This is why every year, 5 September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day. This day shows the importance of education and teachers in our lives.
Dr. Radhakrishnan’s education philosophy
Dr. Radhakrishnan believed that the purpose of education is not only to impart knowledge but also to build personality. He thought that the teacher’s job is not only to teach but to mould the character and ideals of the students.
The main points of his education philosophy are as follows:
- The purpose of education is to develop morality and spirituality.
- The teacher should be ideal, because he is the nation builder.
- Both Indian and Western education should be adopted in a balanced manner.
- Discipline and self-control are necessary in education.
- Students should be taught the art of living, not just to pass exams.
Contributions of Dr. Radhakrishnan
- Contribution in Philosophy – He presented Indian philosophy on the world stage.
- Contribution as a teacher – He was a professor at Madras, Calcutta, Mysore and Oxford University.
- Contribution as a writer – He wrote important books like Hindu View of Life and Indian Philosophy.
- Contribution in Politics – He became the Vice President and President of India and emphasised education and culture during his tenure.
- Messenger of Culture – He brought respect for Indian culture and tradition to the Western world.
Quotes on Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
A true teacher inspires us to think.
Education does not mean only filling information but building character.
Conclusion
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was not only the President of India, but he was also an ideal teacher and philosopher. His life teaches us that without education, the development of society and a nation is not possible.
It is indeed appropriate to celebrate his birthday as Teachers’ Day, because he proved through his life that a teacher is a nation builder.
That is why we should respect our teachers and make our lives successful by following the path shown by them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Q1. Who is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in 5 points?
- He was a great philosopher, teacher and writer.
- He became the first Vice President and second President of India.
- He was born on 5 September 1888 in Tamil Nadu.
- He considered education and teaching as the highest duty of life.
- His birthday is celebrated as Teachers’ Day.
Q2. Why is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Teachers’ Day?
Dr. Radhakrishnan had said, “If you want to celebrate my birthday, celebrate it as Teachers’ Day.” That is why Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 5 September.
Q3. Who is Dr Radhakrishnan?
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 in Tirutani (Tamil Nadu). He was a scholar of philosophy, an ideal teacher, writer and the second President of India.
Q4. What are the major books of Dr. Radhakrishnan?
- Indian Philosophy
- The Hindu View of Life
- Eastern Religions and Western Thought
- An Idealist View of Life
Q5. When did Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan die?
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan died on 17 April 1975.