“Teacher is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me,” – Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Teachers guide us from childhood and to honor and value them, teachers’ day is celebrated on September 5, every year.
The day commemorates the birth anniversary of the first vice-president and second president of the country Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on 5th September 1888.
Teachers’ Day 2021: History
Teachers’ Day is celebrated since 1962, the year in which Dr Sarvepalli took oath as President of India. The day is celebrated on Dr Sarvepalli’s birthday to honor his work as an educationalist.
The idea of teachers’ day was shared by the president himself as he wanted to celebrate his birthday with all the teachers across the nation. Once, his students asked him, if he would allow them to celebrate his birthday. Dr Radhakrishnan denied any special treatment but suggested to the students that they could celebrate the day as Teachers' Day to recognize the contribution of teachers to the society. That's how it all began!
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Teacher’s Day 2021: Significance
The day is celebrated to honor and express gratitude towards teachers and educators. Annually, across India, the day is celebrated with great pomp and students pay their tribute to Dr Radhakrishnan.
Students show their affection and respect by gifting hand-made cards to their teachers and special programs are celebrated in schools, colleges and other academic institutions.
Teachers’ Day 2021: Quotes
- “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — William Butler Yeats
- “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” — Malala Yousafzai
- “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” — Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
- “Your worst enemy is your best teacher.” –Buddha
- “I have always felt that the true textbook for the pupil is his teacher.” – Mahatma Gandhi
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Teacher’s Day 2021: A brief life-story of Dr Sarvepalli
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975) was an Indian academic, professor, philosopher, and politician who served as the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and the second President of India (1962–1967).
Radhakrishnan believed that “teachers should be the best minds in the country,” that’s why every year teachers’ day is celebrated on his birthday.
Dr Radhakrishnan was awarded the title of “Sir” but he refused to use it and used his academic title “Doctor”.
He was nominated for the Nobel Prize multiple times and he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1984.
He authored the book, “The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore”, as he had a master’s degree in philosophy. His Hibbert Lecture at Manchester College, in 1929, was later printed in the book named “An Idealist View of Life.”