Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
(5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975) was an
Indian philosopher and statesman, an ideal teacher, professor, and also a
writer who was the first vice president of India (1952–1962) and the second
president of India from 1962 to 1967.
One of India's best and most influential
twentieth-century scholars of comparative religion and philosophy. His
philosophy was grounded in Advaita Vedanta, Dr. Radhakrishnan was awarded
several high awards during his life, including 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". According to him ‘Teachers are the nation’s creator’.
Since 1962, his birthday is celebrated in India as Teachers'
Day on 5 September.When he became the President, some of his students and
friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, 5 September. He
replied,"Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud
privilege if 5 September is observed as Teachers' Day."
His birthday has since been
celebrated as Teachers Day in India.