5th September: National Teachers Day

Every year in India 5th September is being observed as National Teachers Day.
Significance of Day: This day commemorates the birthday of India’s first Vice President and second President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
This year’s celebration: On occasion of National Teachers Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasesed commemorative coins of 125 rupees and 10 rupees denomination in honour of former President S Radhakrishnan.

About Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 in Thiruttani in then Madras Presidency of British India.
• He was an Indian philosopher and statesman and one the best known scholars in the field of comparative religion and philosophy in India in the 20th century.
• He had tremendously contributed towards the new contemporary Hindu identity in the eyes of the ill-informed Westeners.
• He held great respect for teachers and always believed that  teachers are real nation builders and thus should always be the best minds in the country.
• Important Posts: First Vice President of India (in office from 1952–1962), Second President of India (in office from 1962 to 1967).
• Awards: He was honoured with Bharat Ratna (1954), British Royal Order of Merit (1963) etc.

Note: He was first recipient Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award along with politician C. Rajagopalachari, scientist C. V. Raman.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2015