The 5th September is an important day for all the students, as it is the day of the builders of their destiny. It is celebrated by them in all educational institutions with great pleasure and devotion. It is the ‘Teachers Day’- the day of their philosophers and guides. Teachers are nation builders. They are the great architects who design the life of the pupils- the future citizens of a nation. Parents give birth, but the teachers show the true path in life.

The 5th September is celebrated as ‘Teachers Day’ all over India because it is the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a great philosopher, an eminent writer, an ardent speaker, a prominent statesman and the second President of India. Before becoming the President of India , he was a great and ideal teacher inheriting all the qualities of this noble profession. After he became the President of India, his followers celebrated his birthday, the 5th September as Teachers Day. Hence, every year Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday is celebrated as ‘Teachers Day’.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888 in a middle class family in the temple town of Tirutani in Tamil Nadu. He was the second child of his parents. The early years of his life until twelve were spent in Tirutani and Tirupati, both famous as pilgrim centers. He was a boy with a meditative frame of mind and books were his true companions. After completing his schooling in Tirupati, he went to Vellore for his undergraduate studies. Then he joined the Madras Christian College and in 1909, at the age of 21, completed M.A. in philosophy with top position. One touching incident of his student life is very inspiring. He was a brilliant  student very rich in knowledge. But because of his poor financial condition, he had to auction his university medals in order to meet his educational expenses.

Dr. Radhakrishnan joined the University of Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1921 as Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy. As professor of philosophy, he also worked in the universities of Madras (Chennai), Mysore, Andhra, Benares. He also distinguished himself as a visiting professor to Oxford, Chicago and London Universities. He served as the Vice-Chancellors of Andhra University from 1931-36, and then of Benares University. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a great scholar in both the Eastern  and Western Philosophies. The Andhra University honoured him with D. Litt. In 1939.

In 1949, the beloved Prime Minister of India, Pandit Nehru sent Dr. Radhakrishnan to former Soviet Union as ambassador. In 1952, he became the Vice President of India. Because of his great service to mankind, he was conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1954. On May 12, 1962, while he was our Vice President, he was elected as the President of India. At that time, the monthly salary of President of India was Rs. 10,000. But as a man of high ideals he accepted only Rs. 2,500 and donated the rest amount to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was a man of the sterling qualities.  Because of his great contribution to humanity, the Queen of Britain conferred on him honorary membership of the Order Of Merit. Pope Paul VI rewarded him with  “De Equastrine Ordine Militae Aurate” the highest honour of Vatican in 1964. In 1975, he was awarded with the Templeton Award. On April 17, 1975, the great, idealistic and noble son of mother India passed away in Chennai.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was a brilliant author. He has written more than 150 books. Some of his famous books are –his two volumes of ‘Indian Philosophy’, his editions of ‘Upanishads’, the ‘Bhagvatgita’, ‘The Hindu View of Life’, ‘The Reign of Religion’, ‘Religion and Society’ and ‘Future Civilisation’ are important. 

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a man of letters with principles devoted his life to the service of our nation with singlemindness. He viewed that communalism; regionalism, corruption and indiscipline are grave dangers to our national unity. He always used to say that until and unless we have dedicated and committed teachers who take to teaching as a mission in their lives, we cannot have a good educational system.