Dr Radhakrishnan: A light of knowledge

IN 1949, HE WAS APPOINTED AS THE AMBASSADOR TO THE SOVIET UNION. HE WAS ELECTED THE FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA IN 1952, AND WAS HONOURED WITH THE BHARAT RATNA IN 1954.

Aprofound scholar, an original thinker, a great exponent of Hindu culture, an eloquent speaker, a fine diplomat, and above all ‘a light of knowledge’, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a teacher of teachers.

His deep love and affection for students was so great that when he became the President of India in 1962, his students and friends thought of celebrating his birthday. In reply, he wished instead to see his birthday as Teachers’ Day. Since then, the nation celebrates 5th September as Teachers’ Day.

Endowed with learning and scholarship, Dr Radhakrishnan left unique imprints as a student, teacher, vice-chancellor, statesman, ambassador, VicePresident and President of our nation. His generous way of life was truly rooted in human values.

According to him, “The aim of education is not the acquisition of information, although important, or acquisition of technical skills, though essential in modern society, but the development of that bent of mind, that attitude of reason, that spirit of democracy which will make us responsible citizens.”

Teaching was his passion and his evocative teaching made him popular among his students. Radhakrishnan was Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University.

He was a professor at the Calcutta University, Vice Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University. In 1942, he became a nationalist voice when he defended Banaras Hindu University’s students from being punished for participating in the freedom struggle.

In the BHU court meeting held on September 17, 1939, the election of Radhakrishnan as VC of BHU was moved by Pt Malaviyaji which was seconded by Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and supported by many other eminent people. After assuming V-C’s charge, Radhakrishnan gave an emotional speech and concluded it by saying, “With the grace of God and with the blessings of Panditji, I hope to do my best.” He left the post on January 11, 1948.

In 1949, he was appointed as the ambassador to the Soviet Union. He was elected the first Vice-President of India in 1952, and was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1954. After serving two terms as the VicePresident, he was elected the President of India in 1962.

Love is blind, but truth is blinder. When teacher and pupil sit together, we say, “We do not hate each other.” Let us pay our rich tributes to this Teacher of teachers on his birthday who made us all proud to be a teacher…

(The writer is an institute professor in Physics at

IIT (BHU), Varanasi.)