Teachers’ Day 2025 is celebrated on September 5th to honor the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s revered teacher and philosopher-president. Discover some facts about whose vision shaped the nation’s respect for educators.
Every year on September 5th, India celebrates Teachers’ Day to honor the invaluable contributions of teachers. More so, the date coincides with the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished teacher, philosopher, and the second President of India. His life and vision have inspired people from generation to generation, making him an embodiment of knowledge and humility. While we mark Teachers’ Day 2025, here are some fascinating facts about the man whose name actually goes behind the celebration.
Interesting Facts About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
1. A Humble Beginning
Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, in the year 1888, in a small town called Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu. Coming from a humble Brahmin family, he faced challenges with finances but showed signs of brilliant academic capability from an early age. His perseverance and intelligence led him to glorious services in education and philosophy.
2. A Scholar of Philosophy
Radhakrishnan specialized in philosophy, with particular emphasis on Indian philosophy and comparative religion. His earlier writings and lectures helped introduce Indian thought to the Western world. His book Indian Philosophy is considered one of the comprehensively written works on the subject that manage to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western philosophies.
3. Teaching Was His First Love
Before stepping into politics, Dr. Radhakrishnan spent decades as a teacher. He taught at prestigious institutions such as Madras Presidency College, University of Mysore, University of Calcutta, and Oxford University. He was adored by his students not just for his knowledge but also for his inspiring critical thinking and respect for divergent views.
4. The Origin of Teachers’ Day
When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the President of India in 1962, his students and friends wished for a celebration on his birthday. Instead, he humbly suggested that the day be observed as Teachers’ Day to honor all teachers who shape young minds. Thus, since then, September 5th has been celebrated across the country as a tribute to the teachers.
5. A Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
Radhakrishnan was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature and also for the Nobel Peace Prize. Though he never received it, his nominations indicate his international standing as a thinker, diplomat and advocate of peace.
6. Philosopher-President
Radhakrishnan was Vice President of India (1952-62) and subsequently the second President of India (1962-67). Even in these exalted offices, he never shed his identity of a teacher and a philosopher. He is famously said to have used his salary as president to give scholarships to needy students.
7. Legacy of Simple Living and Knowledge
Dr. Radhakrishnan, notwithstanding worldwide fame, remained an epitome of simplicity. His speeches repeatedly stressed that true education builds character, spreads amity, and fosters creativity. His life goes on to remind us that teachers are far more than just instructors and play an all-important role of guides in molding societies.
As India celebrates Teachers’ Day 2025, the legacy of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan stands as an eternal reminder of the strength of education. His journey from a little town boy to a globally admired philosopher and President of India is a narrative of persistence, humility, and intellectual acumen. By honoring him, we are celebrating not just one man but the spirit of every teacher who illuminates the way of learning for future generations.