Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a towering intellectual who, after India’s independence, was unanimously elected as the first Vice President of India and later adorned the highest constitutional post as the President of the nation, bringing immense prestige to the role. From his early childhood, he exhibited deep devotion to God and an unwavering love for the nation. A remarkably quick learner, his exceptional memory astonished even his teachers.

Renowned as a profound philosopher and an exemplary teacher, Dr. Radhakrishnan's birthday is celebrated annually across India as Teachers' Day, a tribute by the Government of India to his immense contributions to the field of education. Having completed his Master’s degree (M.A.) in Philosophy, Radhakrishnan from a young age showed an active interest in the teachings of various religious leaders, engaging in deep discussions with his friends and mentors to extract the essence of those philosophies.

He firmly believed that all religions exist to nurture goodness in humanity, and that the upliftment of mankind is the ultimate message of all religions. This great soul was born in Tiruttani village of Madras Presidency on September 5, 1888, to Veeraswami and Sitamma.

His scholarly work “The Ethics of the Vedanta” received wide acclaim from intellectual circles and was later adopted as a recommended text for M.A. Philosophy students. The essence of Indian philosophy is deeply embedded in this work. Dr. Radhakrishnan was not just an ideal student but also an ideal teacher. Even during his student days, he generously supported several poor students with their education.

He served with distinction as a Professor of Philosophy at esteemed institutions such as Madras Presidency College, Mysore University, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Andhra University. His seminal work “Indian Philosophy” projected the spiritual and intellectual richness of India to the world. This work went on to become a prescribed textbook in universities across countries like the United States.

A master of comparative religion, Dr. Radhakrishnan grasped the essential truths and fallacies in the discourses of major philosophical traditions — including Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. In recognition of his intellectual brilliance, several universities across the globe conferred upon him honorary doctorates. His philosophical lectures have been compiled under the title “Ideal Perspectives on Life”, a guiding light for righteous living.

He firmly believed that religion is the elixir of humanity, that faith fosters peace, and that devotion to God protects mankind from moral downfall. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he played a meaningful role in the framing of the Indian Constitution. In recognition of his service to the nation, the Government of India awarded him the Bharat Ratna in 1954, the country's highest civilian honour.

His birthday, September 5, is observed as Teachers' Day, to honour and celebrate the contributions of teachers throughout India. A patriot at heart, Radhakrishnan actively supported the Quit India Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, striving for the liberation of Mother India from colonial chains. Through his speeches, he inspired a yearning for freedom and national awakening among the people.

Though he departed from this world on April 17, 1975, Dr. Radhakrishnan lives on eternally in the hearts of the people — as a boundless wellspring of knowledge, an exemplary philosopher, an ideal teacher, and an inspiration to generations.

—  Nandiraju Radhakrishna,  Sr Journalist