“For Dr. Radhakrishnan everything: psychology, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, education, politics, economics, science, and religion converges and culminates in spirit. He was a philosopher by temperament, teacher by vocation, a statesman by choice, an administrator by discipline and he had demonstrated that versatile potentiality of the human mind suffused with the spirit of service.”

“In Dr. Radhakrishnan’s life there is a message of fulfillment. His journey from a village was neither easy nor fast but it was accomplished by sheer ability and faith. There is an extraordinary reassuring message of self-confidence and determination. He said “all that we have to do is to develop the solidarity about country. That is very essential.” An act of one man to inspire that spirit of oneness to belong to one country, one culture, one tradition. That is very essential. This was his message to youth of the country.”

5th September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India, meant to celebrate the bond shared by the students and the teachers or mentors. It is celebrated every year on fifth September.On this day students express their gratitude towards the teachers for fruitful learning and make them feel very special. It marks the birth anniversary of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first vice president of India who was also a teacher and philosopher.Not many know why wecelebrate Teachers’ Day.
When Dr. Radhakrishnan was appointed as the second president of India in 1962, the students wanted to celebrate his birthday as a special day and asked for his permission. However, he stated that the day should be celebrated as a teacher’sday honoring their contribution towards educating the society. Since then, 5th September has been celebrated as teachers’ day all across the country.

The first vice president of India, Bharat Ratna recipient, and highly respected teacher-philosopher, Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888.He also went on to become the second president of India.Talking about his early life,Radhakrishnan was an incredible student and became teacher extraordinaire. He dedicated his life to educating children. He had his own unique way of teaching and was a favorite among students during his teaching career.He was Vice Chancellor of Andhra University and Benares Hindu University where he preached his beliefs about education. He also inspired numerous students as well as teachers with his beliefs. One of the greatest sayings of Radhakrishnan is “true teachers are those who help us think for ourselves “.

My mentor, Dr. Rollin Arthur Burn, a famous ophthalmologist in London used to say “there are three solutions for every problem.First is education; second is education and third is education.”

How is teachers’ day celebrated today? Teachers’ day is celebrated widely in schools, colleges, and universities where students put up programs for the teachers to pay respect to them.The programs include dance, singing, dramas, and recitation to name a few. To make the day more special students also give gifts to the teachers.

For Dr. Radhakrishnan everything: psychology, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, education, politics, economics, science, and religion converges and culminates in spirit.He was a philosopher by temperament, teacher by vocation,a statesman by choice,an administrator by discipline and he had demonstrated that versatile potentiality of the human mind suffused with the spirit of service. Among the many outstanding books written by Dr. Radhakrishnan, the book titled, “Eastern Religions and Western Thought” stands out. He devoted a chapter in this book, called the meeting of the religions. He says that different religions have come together.

And if they are not to continue in a state of conflict or competition, they must develop a spirit of comprehension which will break down prejudice and misunderstanding and bind them together as varied expressions of a single truth such a spirit characterizes the development of Hinduism which has not been interrupted for nearly 50 centuries or more. It is truly significant that he had been able to offer masterly interpretation of the philosophy of Tagore and the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi, even as he had given a lucid exposition of gospel of action enshrined in the BhagavatGita, and the doctrine of nonviolence preached by Gautama Buddha.

There was a time when Indian philosophy and literature were looked down upon by the West.McCauley, an English historian had this to say in his minute on Indian education.“It is, I believe no exaggeration to say that all the historical information which has been collected from all the books written in Sanskrit language is less valuable than what may be found in the most paltry abridgement used at preparatory schools in England.”But Dr.Radhakrishnan successfully demolished the profound ignorance of the West.He said “there are narrow minded people all over the world who think that their religion is the greatest and other people should accept.That has not been the tradition of this country.Our culture has spread in different directions in the east and west.” After Swami Vivekananda, his concern was to present to the West the richness of the eastern thought.It is not an uncommon saying that Indian philosophy begins where western philosophy ends.It is true from his works that East is East, and West is West; but it cannot be denied that East plus West is the best.

Plato’s concept of “philosophy king” and the Indian idea of “Rajarishi” have a striking similarity.This idea was realized in Marcus Aurelius,Janaka,Ashoka and Akbar.In modern times, Dr Radhakrishnan exemplified this concept when he was elected President of India in 1962.In 1964 the Pope conferred withDr.Radhakrishnan in Mumbai the decoration of one of the chiefs of golden army of angels. He passed away in 1975.Dr.Radhakrishnan started as a teacher and spent almost all of his life as a teacher.

In Dr. Radhakrishnan’s life there is a message of fulfillment.His journey from a village was neither easy nor fast but it was accomplished by sheer ability and faith.There is an extraordinary reassuring message of self-confidence and determination.He said “all that we haveto do is to develop the solidarity about country. That is very essential.” An act of one man to inspire that spirit of oneness to belong to one country, one culture, one tradition.That is very essential.This was his message to youth of the country.

To celebrate the 5th of September of 2022,Goutami Eye institute/ Eye Foundation of America is screening teachers for eye problems in the vicinity of the Goutamieye institute.

HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!

(The author, an eminent ophthalmologist,  is Adjunct Professor, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and President of Eye Foundation of America. He can be reached atVkraju@comcast.net)