September 5th in India is celebrated every year as Teachers' Day with people paying tribute to the teachers in recognition to their contribution to the society. It happens to be the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, second president of India from 1962 to 1967.
Radha Krishnan was the most distinguished scholars of comparative religion and philosophy and his academic appointments included the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (1921–1932) and Spalding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics at University of Oxford (1936–1952).
He supported Hinduism against "uninformed Western criticism" and was conferred with a knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, in 1954, and honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. Radhakrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country".
His birthday is celebrated as Teachers' Day from 1962. He was born in a village near Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu in a Telugu brahmin family on 5 September 1888. His father's name was Sarvepalli Veeraswami and his mother's was Sitamma. Throughout his life he was awarded scholarships. He was married to Siva Kamu a distant cousin at the age of 16 and was blessed with five daughters and son named Sarvepalli Gopal. Former Indian cricketer VVS.Lakshman is his great grand nephew.
He started his political life rather late after successful academic career. When India became independent in 1947, Radhakrishnan represented India at UNESCO (1946–52) and was later Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union, from 1949 to 1952. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India. Radhakrishnan was elected as the first Vice-President of India in 1952, and elected as the second President of India (1962–1967).
Some of his students and friends requested Radhakrishnan to allow them celebrate his birthday after he became the President of india for which he replied "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' Day."
