Dr. S. Radhakrishnan: Life, Philosophy, Books & Teachers' Day
Discover the man whose birthday became an eternal tribute to educators across India.
Who Was Dr. S. Radhakrishnan?
When September 5th arrives, classrooms across India fill with celebrations, gratitude, and moving Hindi poems dedicated to teachers. At the core of this monumental day lies the extraordinary legacy of one man: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (Bharat Ratna).
He was not merely a politician; he was a profound Indian philosopher and statesman who seamlessly bridged the intellectual gap between Eastern philosophy and Western thought. Serving as the first Vice-President and the second President of India, his life is a pure testament to the power of education and intellect.
AT A GLANCE: Life & Legacy
- Born: September 5, 1888, Thiruttani, Madras Presidency, British India
- Died: April 17, 1975, Chennai
- Spouse: Sivakamu (Married for over 51 years; died in 1956)
- Children: Five daughters and one son, Sarvepalli Gopal (a notable historian)
- Notable Relative: Reportedly, former Indian Test Cricketer VVS Laxman is a great grand-nephew.
Early Life and Education
Born into a Telugu family in a village near Thiruttani, his father, Sarvepalli Veeraswami, worked as a subordinate revenue official, while his mother, Sitamma, nurtured the household. His early education began at the Primary Board High School in Thiruttani, followed by a move to the Hermansburg Evangelical Lutheran Mission School in Tirupati.
The turning point in his life arrived when he joined the prestigious Madras Christian College. He graduated in 1906 with a Master's degree in Philosophy, setting the foundation for an unparalleled scholarly career.
Academic Career and Philosophy
In April 1909, he was appointed to the Department of Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College. By 1918, his brilliance was recognized nationally when he was selected as Professor of Philosophy by the University of Mysore, and subsequently, the University of Calcutta in 1921.
Radhakrishnan at Oxford
His academic magnetism reached the historic halls of Oxford. He was deeply associated with Harris Manchester College as an Upton Lecturer and later profoundly impacted Western academia when he became the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics at Oxford University (1936–1952).
Diplomatic and Political Career
Dr. Radhakrishnan’s voice was not confined to classrooms. He became a pivotal global ambassador for Indian culture. He served as India's representative to the UNESCO delegation (1946–1952) and was later appointed as the Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union (1949–1952), showcasing immense diplomatic tact during the Cold War era.
He was also a vital member of the Constituent Assembly of India—the very body that shaped the future of the nation alongside historical milestones like Jawaharlal Nehru's Tryst with Destiny speech at midnight in 1947.
First Vice-President and Second President of India
| Political Offices Held | |
|---|---|
| 2nd President of India (In office: 13 May 1962 – 13 May 1967) |
|
| Prime Ministers Served Under | Jawaharlal Nehru, Gulzarilal Nanda, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi |
| Preceded by | Rajendra Prasad |
| 1st Vice-President of India (In office: 13 May 1952 – 12 May 1962) |
|
| President Served Under | Rajendra Prasad |
Why Is Teachers' Day Celebrated on September 5?
In India, Teachers' Day began being observed in 1962. When Dr. Radhakrishnan assumed the office of the President, some of his former students approached him with a request to celebrate his birthday on September 5th. He humbly responded that it would be his proud privilege if the day was instead dedicated to educators, asserting that teachers hold the absolute key to shaping a nation's future.
Awards and Honours
- 1931: Appointed a Knight Bachelor (He ceased using the title "Sir" post-independence).
- 1939: Elected Fellow of the British Academy.
- 1954: Awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
- 1961: Awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.
- 1963: Conferred the British Order of Merit.
- 1968: Received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi fellowship.
- 1975: Awarded the Templeton Prize. The prize money was intended to be used for a teaching institution and furthering discussions on universal reality.
Famous Quotes
A true scholar, his philosophical words continue to resonate today:
Books Written by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
His massive bibliography remains a masterclass in theology and philosophy:
- Indian Philosophy (Volume 1-2)
- The Hindu View of Life (1926)
- An Idealist View of Life (1929)
- Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939)
- Religion and Society (1947)
- The Bhagavadgītā: with an introductory essay, Sanskrit text, English translation and notes (1948)
- The Dhammapada (1950)
- The Principal Upanishads (1953)
- Recovery of Faith (1956)
- A Source Book in Indian Philosophy (1957)
- Religion, Science & Culture
Legacy and Influence (Archival Video)
Long before modern mass communication experiments like the 1975 ISRO SITE experiment transformed Indian education, Dr. Radhakrishnan was captivating audiences live with his profound oratory skills. Witnessing his speeches is to look back at the foundation of modern Indian intellect.
Voice of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Live Footage of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
- Profile and political timeline verified via the official President of India archives.
- Fellowship and merit details corroborated by The British Academy (1939) and Sahitya Akademi.
- Origins of Teachers' Day (1962) supported by historical records from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) / Government of India.
- Historical multimedia and core layout adapted with credit to the Glimpses of Indian Heroes & History archive.