THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF Dr. SARVEPALLI RADHAKRISHNAN

Although World Teachers' Day is celebrated on 5 October all over the world, in India, there is a special reason for celebrating this day a month earlier, which is related to our former President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

 

5 September is the birthday of Dr. Radhakrishnan, and his birth anniversary is celebrated on this day. Born on 5 September 1888 in Madras Presidency, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a great philosopher and scholar as well as a skilled teacher.

 

In his memory, Teacher's Day is celebrated every year on 5 September in India. On this day, awards are also given to the best teachers across the country by the Government of India. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan has given a very good message about teachers.

 

When Radhakrishnan became the President of India in 1962, his students wanted permission to celebrate this day specially. Instead, Dr. Radhakrishnan suggested that this day be celebrated as Teachers' Day to appreciate the contribution of teachers to society.

 

This day symbolizes the dedication and hard work of teachers, who shape the future of every child. This special day is celebrated annually with a unique theme. This year, the theme is to empower teachers for a sustainable future.

 

The works and achievements of Shri Radhakrishnan are innumerable, some of which are discussed here so that today's generation can be aware of them:-

• His parents were conventional in their religious outlook. His father, Veeraswami, was a priest. From 1900 to 1904, he studied at Voorhees College and then at the intermediate college, Vellore. From 1904 to 1908, he studied at Madras Christian College.
• In 1918, Dr. Radhakrishnan was appointed Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Mysore College. He introduced the world to Indian philosophy through his writings and speeches. His writings were praised all over the world.
• He was the Vice Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. He worked as a professor at George V College under Calcutta University from 1937 to 1941. He was the Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948. 
• After independence, he was called to serve his motherland in the field of diplomacy. He was selected as an Ambassador to the Soviet Union. Many wondered how a professor could be proved to be a great success as a diplomat in Moscow.
• In 1952, Dr. Radhakrishnan was elected as the first Vice President of the Republic of India. He added lusture to the office of the Vice-President. He had resolved many controversies by his witty remarks, his tact, and patience.
• In 1962, he was elected as the second President of the country. First thing he did was that he announced a voluntary cut in his monthly salary from Rs 10,000/- to Rs 2,000/-.
• In 1975, he was awarded the ‘Templeton Award’ for his contribution to the progress of religion.
• Radhakrishnan considered the entire world to be a school. He believed that the human brain can be used properly only through education. Therefore, education should be managed by considering the world as one unit.
• In his speech at the University of Edinburgh, Britain, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan said, "Humans should be united. The ultimate goal of human history is the liberation of mankind, which is possible only when the policies of countries are based on the effort to establish peace in the entire world."
• He called teachers "the best brains of the country". He considered education an important means of making good use of the human brain. He said, "Teachers should be the most intelligent in the country.”
• He believed that teachers not only impart knowledge but also inspire students to become better human beings. He inspired students to inculcate high moral values in their conduct.
• According to Dr. Radhakrishnan, teachers are "true guides" who help students "think for themselves".
• Due to his valuable qualities, in 1954, the Government of India honoured him with the highest honour, Bharat Ratna        

Radhakrishnan comparatively found out that Indian spirituality is very rich and the criticisms of Hinduism by Christian missionaries are baseless. From this, he concluded that Indian culture is based on religion, knowledge, and truth, which gives the true message of life to the living beings. He believed that criticism serves the purpose of purification.

 

His contribution to the field of education, philosophy, religion, culture, science, etc. was immoral. His educational philosophy is based on the principles of universal love and humanity, mutual help, and cooperation. People will always remember him with abiding affection for his uncommon human qualities. He took a deep interest in all human beings.

He was the bearer of Indian culture, a renowned educationist, a great philosopher, and a devout Hindu thinker. His utterances were marked by profound introspection and depth of vision.

 

It is said that while Gandhi represented the conscience of the country, Tagore represented the culture, and Radhakrishnan represented the thought of India at its best.