Teachers Day 2018: History of the celebration in India

Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5 every year across India to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. An eminent scholar, philosopher and a Bharat Ratna recipient Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first vice president (1952–1962) and the second President of India (1962 to 1967).

Why is Teachers’ Day celebrated on September 5?

Teacher's Day is marked in honour of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on September 5, 1888. Born into a Telugu family, Dr Radhakrishnan was an achiever and an inspiration to the youth, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1931. Dr Radhakrishnan was nominated eleven times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The history of Teachers’ Day-

Dr Radhakrishnan was a respected academic. Dr Radhakrishnan did his Masters in Philosophy from University of Madras. He taught at Chennai’s Presidency College and Calcutta University and even represented the University of Calcutta at the Congress of the Universities of the British Empire and the International Congress of Philosophy at Harvard University.

Dr Radhakrishnan also served as the Vice Chancellor of Andhra Pradesh University from 1931 to 1936.

After he became the second President, to honour his contribution towards teaching, his students asked him to allow them to celebrate his birthday as ‘Radhakrishnan Day’.

It was believed that Dr Radhakrishnan refused it and suggested that it would be his ‘proud privilege’ if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ Day.

The first Teachers Day was celebrated on September 5, 1962.

Since then students across the country celebrate Dr Radhakrishnan birthday as Teachers’ Day.