Why India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5

Respected teacher

By the 1920s, Radhakrishnan had established himself as one of India’s most respected academics. He held the prestigious King George V Chair at the Calcutta University from 1921 to 1932, was the second vice-chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936, and the fourth vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948. He also held the Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at University of Oxford from 1936 to 1952. Radhakrishnan was knighted in 1931.

Radhakrishnan was also a brilliant teacher, who developed deep personal bonds with students. He thought highly of the profession of teaching, and is recorded as having said several times that “teachers should be the best minds in the country”.

He became the first Vice President (1952-62), and the second President of India (1962-67). In 1962, after he became president, some old students expressed their wish to celebrate his birthday. Radhakrishnan refused a personal celebration, and instead requested his students to honour teachers across the country on his birth anniversary.

Thus began the tradition of celebrating Teachers’ Day on September 5.