Teachers’ day is celebrated on different days in the different countries. Keeping the other countries aside, in India it is celebrated on September 5th, on the occasion of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a staunch believer of education, and was a well-known diplomat, scholar, the President of India and above all, a teacher.

When a few of his students and friends reached out to him for celebrating his birthday, Sarvepally said, “I would be more privileged if the September 5th which is my birthday is observed as the teachers day countrywide, instead of just celebrating it as my birthday alone.” Since then, this day is called as a teachers day as per his wish.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5th, 1888 and since then, he earned an identity for himself. In his life term from 1888 to 1975, he set up various records like being the first vice president of India and the second president of India.  
 
In 1965, a few of the students of Radhakrishnan, organised a gathering to pay obeisance to that Great Teacher of repute. It is in that meeting, Radhakrishnan expressed his wish of identifying his birthday, as the teachers day and pay homage to the great teachers of India and Bangladesh countries.   

From 1967, September 5th is officially celebrated as the teachers’ day. Speaking about Radhakrishnan, whom Jawaharlal Nehru treats as a close friend, the latter said, “No doubt Radhakrishnan served the nation in many issue, but above all, he is loved as a teacher and his teachings to all of us cannot be erased that easy. It will continue to stay in the hearts, throughout the life. In fact, it is the country’s pride to honor such a great person as a President for a term.”    
 
However, honoring Radhakrishnan did not stop after his death. Every year, he is being honored by the governments in some or the other way. In that sense, even this year, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already announced to introduce Rs.10 and Rs.125 coins for commemorating and honoring India’s pride Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.      

On this auspicious occasion, let not stop with just wishing the great leader a happy birthday, but also follow his words and teachings and contribute our part in building up the nation.

By Phanindra