On the occasion of Teachers' day, the people of India fondly remember Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President and a legendary teacher of all times. Radhakrishnan wasn’t just a teacher but was widely recognised and respected as one of the 20th century’s most respected Indian thinkers. Since 1962, September 5 is celebrated to honour Radhakrishnan birth as Teachers' Day. He believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country".

Every year schools, universities and other institutions across India celebrate this day to recognise the great sacrifices of our teachers. Radhakrishnan, a great teacher and staunch believer of education once said, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ Day".

On Teacher’s Day, here are some little-known facts from his inspiring life.

  1. Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher who was the first Vice president of India (1952-1962) and the second president of India (1962-1967).

  2. Radhakrishnan was awarded several ranks during his life, including a knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, in 1954, and honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963.

  3. Radhakrishnan was also one of the founders of HelpAge India, a non-profit organization for elderly underprivileged in India.

  4. When he became the President of India, some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, on 5 September. He replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' Day”.

  5. Radhakrishnan’s father wanted him to become a priest at a temple. But, he worked hard to win a scholarship from the Madras Christian College that enabled him to pursue his BA and graduate with first class honours in 1906.

  6. He also contributed to the world of literature by penning down books like The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore and The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy.

  7. When Radhakrishnan presided over the Rajya Sabha sessions as the vice president, he would intervene with Slokhas from the Sanskrit classics or quotations from the Bible to calm the heated atmosphere.

  8. Radhakrishnan was appointed as ambassador to UNESCO in 1946. Later, he was appointed as ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1949. As Chair to the Union Education Commission in 1948, he persevered and brought about reforms in India’s education system.

One of his most famous quotes is, “When we think we know, we cease to learn”. The scholar had penned down multiple books. Some of his famous books include Principal Upanishads, Indian Philosophy Volume 1 Second Edition: With an Introduction By J.N.Mohanty, The Bhagavadgita and The Hindu View of Life among others. It must be noted that Radhakrishnan was nominated sixteen times for the Nobel prize in literature, and eleven times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2018 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).