Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Source: PIB

Context: On September 5, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan at Rashtrapati Bhavan on his birth anniversary, which is also celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.

About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:

• Who he was? Born on September 5, 1888, in Tirutani, Andhra Pradesh. A renowned philosopher, scholar, teacher, and statesman. Served as India’s second President (1962–1967) and first Vice President (1952–1962).

• Born on September 5, 1888, in Tirutani, Andhra Pradesh.

• A renowned philosopher, scholar, teacher, and statesman.

• Served as India’s second President (1962–1967) and first Vice President (1952–1962).

• History & Academic Career: Studied at Madras Christian College. Taught at the Universities of Mysore and Calcutta; later became Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University. Known for bridging Indian and Western philosophy, introducing Indian thought to the global stage. Served as Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1949–1952) before entering high political office.

• Studied at Madras Christian College.

• Taught at the Universities of Mysore and Calcutta; later became Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University.

• Known for bridging Indian and Western philosophy, introducing Indian thought to the global stage.

• Served as Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1949–1952) before entering high political office.

• Contributions to India: Strong advocate of education as a tool of transformation. Chaired the University Education Commission (1949) to reform higher education in independent India. Promoted religious pluralism and comparative philosophy, enhancing India’s intellectual profile abroad. Guided India through critical years of Cold War diplomacy as Vice President and President.

• Strong advocate of education as a tool of transformation.

• Chaired the University Education Commission (1949) to reform higher education in independent India.

• Promoted religious pluralism and comparative philosophy, enhancing India’s intellectual profile abroad.

• Guided India through critical years of Cold War diplomacy as Vice President and President.

• Significance: His birth anniversary is celebrated as Teacher’s Day, recognising his lifelong dedication to education. Revered for his wisdom, erudition, and statesmanship in India’s formative years. Considered a bridge-builder between East and West through his writings on Vedanta and comparative religion.

• His birth anniversary is celebrated as Teacher’s Day, recognising his lifelong dedication to education.

• Revered for his wisdom, erudition, and statesmanship in India’s formative years.

• Considered a bridge-builder between East and West through his writings on Vedanta and comparative religion.