Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was thethe first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and second president of India, serving from 1962 to 1967. He was a renowned scholar and his work helped shape the way philosophy is taught in India. He also worked tirelessly to promote education and he established many schools and colleges. He was a tireless worker and his efforts helped improve the lives of millions of people in India. He has been praised for placing Indian philosophy on the world map. During his academic career, he was bestowed with several awards.
Awards and Honours of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- Appointed a Knight Bachelor in the year 1931.
- He was elected Fellow of the British Academy in 1938.
- Honored with the prestigious Bharat Ratna Award in 1954.
- Honored with the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1961.
His Political Career:
- In 1931, he was appointed to the League of Nations Committee for Intellectual Cooperation, where he was known as a Hindu expert on Indian ideas and a convincing translator of the role of Eastern institutions in contemporary society in Western eyes. He was able to quickly learn and adapt to the new surroundings of the Western world and became an expert on Indian culture. His work on the committee helped to improve relations between the East and West.
- From 1946 to 1951, Radhakrishnan was a member of the newly formed UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). He sat on its Executive Board and headed the Indian delegation. He played an important role in UNESCO’s efforts to promote education and culture around the world.
- Radhakrishnan was a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly for two years after India’s independence. He was one of the key members who helped draft the Indian Constitution. He also played an important role in shaping education policy in India. In addition to his political work, Radhakrishnan was also a respected philosopher and academic.
- Radhakrishnan was appointed Indian Ambassador to Moscow by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He held this position untill 1952. With his election to the Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan was able to bring his philosophical and political beliefs into motion. He served as a bridge between the two countries, promoting peace and understanding. His work helped to improve relations between India and the Soviet Union.
- In 1952, Radhakrishnan was elected as India’s first Vice-President. He served in this role for two years before being elected as the country’s second President in 1962. Radhakrishnan was a highly respected philosopher and academic, and he used his platform as President to promote education and cultural understanding both within India and internationally. He served as President for five years, and after leaving office, he returned to academia.
Origin of Teachers’ Day in India:
- The first Teachers’ Day was celebrated on September 5, 1965, in India. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the then President of India, was a man of great wisdom and integrity. His love for teaching made him who he was. To honour him and his contributions to education, his birthday has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India since then.
- When Radhakrishnan became the President of India, some of his friends and students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, on the 5th of September. He replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5th September is observed as Teachers’ Day.” Since then his birthday has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan passed away on April 17, 1975.
Some of the books authored by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:
- Idealist View of Life
- The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore (1918)
- Religion and Society
- The Pursuit Of Truth
- Foundation of Civilisation: Ideas and Ideals
- East and West: Some Reflections
- The Philosophy of Hinduism
- The Sacred Writings of the Sikhs
- The Principal Upanishads
- Hindu View of Life
Some Inspiring Quotes by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan that You Must Read:
- “Tolerance is the homage that the finite mind pays to the inexhaustibly of the Infinite.”
- “Religion is the conquest of fear; the antidote to failure and death.”
- “We need not seek a cause or a motive or a purpose for that which is, in its nature, eternally self-existent and free.”
- “Reading a book gives us the habit of solitary reflection and true enjoyment.”
- “It is said that a man without religion is like a horse without a bridle.”
- “To look upon life as evil and treat the world as a delusion is a sheer ingratitude.”
- “Religion is behavior and not mere belief.”
- “Books are the means by which we build bridges between cultures.”
- “The prophets of spirit make history just by standing outside history.”
- “Human life as we have it is only the raw material for Human life as it might be.”
- “All our world organizations will prove ineffective if the truth that love is stronger than hate does not inspire them.”
Final Words
Today, on Teacher’s Day, we remember the great Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was an advocate for education and a champion of teachers everywhere. His dedication to learning and his commitment to helping others reach their full potential make him an exemplary role model for all of us. As we celebrate Teacher’s Day today, let us all take a moment to reflect on how important our educators are in our lives and pledge to do our best to support them always. Thank you, teachers, for everything that you do!