President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 5.

To honour his legacy, Teachers’ Day is celebrated in India on September 5 each year, coinciding with his birth anniversary. 

Who is Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished scholar, philosopher, and statesman, served as India’s second President from 1962 to 1967. 

• Born on September 5, 1888, in Tamil Nadu, he was a passionate advocate for education and made significant contributions to the field. 

• Radhakrishnan’s political career was marked by several significant positions, including his tenure as the Indian ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952. He served as the Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 before being elected as the President.

• Following his appointment as President, Dr. Radhakrishnan’s students sought to commemorate his birthday, leading to its designation as a day to recognise educators.

• He passed away on April 17, 1975.

Major works and contributions

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan made significant contributions to philosophy and the understanding of Hinduism, both in India and abroad. 

His major works and contributions include:

• Indian Philosophy (1923-1927): 

• The Philosophy of the Upanishads (1924): 

• An Idealist View of Life (1932): 

• Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939) 

Awards and achievements

• Bharat Ratna (1954): Dr. Radhakrishnan was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, recognising his exceptional contributions to philosophy and education.

• Sahitya Akademi Fellowship: He was the first individual to be honored with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest distinction given by the Sahitya Akademi for his literary and philosophical contributions.

• Templeton Prize: Dr. Radhakrishnan was awarded the Templeton Prize for his efforts in promoting non-violence and presenting a vision of God that embraces love and wisdom for all people. This award acknowledged his significant role in bringing global recognition to Indian philosophy.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)