Teacher’s Day 2020

Globally, Teachers Day is celebrated on 5th October; in India, we celebrate it on 5th September from 1962 onwards.

Teachers' Day in India is celebrated on 5th September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was a renowned scholar, recipient of Bharat Ratna, first Vice- President and second President of independent India. He was born on 5 September, 1888. As an educationist, he was an advocate of edification and was a distinguished envoy, academician, and above all a great teacher.

As the common adage goes, the future of a country lies in the hands of its children, and teachers, as mentors, can mould students into future leaders who shape the destiny of India. They play an important role in our lives to become successful in career and business. They help us to become a good human being, a better member of society, and an ideal citizen of the country. Teacher’s Day is celebrated to acknowledge the challenges, hardships, and the special role that teachers play in our lives.

Importance of Teacher’s Day

Teachers Day is one such event for which students and teachers equally look forward to. Teacher's Day is important for the students as it gives them a chance to understand the efforts put in by their teachers to ensure that they get a proper education. Similarly, teachers also look forward to the Teachers’ Day celebration as their efforts get recognised and honoured by students and other agencies as well.

Why is Teachers Day celebrated on 5 September?

Teachers should be respected and honoured. In India, on the eve of Teachers' Day, i.e. on 5 September, the National Teachers Awards are given to the meritorious teachers by the President of India. The awards are conferred as public gratitude to praiseworthy teachers working in primary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools.

According to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Teaching is not a profession, a way of life”. Further, he added that teaching is not a profession but “Jeevan Dharm” (a way of life) and asked teachers to understand changes happening across the world so that they can prepare the new generation to face them. In fact, it is a divine responsibility to guide and enlighten. He also said that India should regain the status of ‘Vishwaguru’ (leader in education) by giving high respect to teachers whom he asked to encourage students to think critically about issues concerning the nation. He told that "Teachers determination and sincerity will shape the destiny of the nation as they are laying the foundation and the building blocks of the society".

Teachers nourish and prepare students for their future as they are the real icon of knowledge and wisdom. They create awareness among the students and common people. They are the source of light in the world that has been darkened due to ignorance. Our teachers are the true pillars of our success. They help us garner knowledge, improve our skills, grow confidence as well as they help us to choose the right path to success. But, despite playing such a crucial role in the lives of students and in nation-building, they rarely are shown the gratitude that they deserve. So, as a student, it is our duty to thank them at least once a year and Teachers’ Day gives us an ideal opportunity to do so!

In addition to their own teachers and mentors, 5th September is also a day when a person can look back, and be inspired by the life and works of  Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. Dr. Radhakrishnan hailed from a small city boy and with the help of education, he became an esteemed politician and a visionary educationist.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan is one of the most renowned writers in contemporary India. He has made significant contributions to a variety of subjects starting from theoretical, theological, moral, instructive, communal, and enlightening subjects. He wrote several articles to many recognised journals which are of great importance.

Dr. Radhakrishnan became President of India in 1962.

He was approached by some of his friends and students who requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday on 5 September. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan responded, "Instead of observing my birthday discretely, it would be my pompous privilege if 5th September is scrutinised as Teachers' Day". Such a request coming from the President of India clearly showcased Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's affection and dedication for teachers. From then onwards, India celebrates Teachers' Day on 5th September.

On Teachers Day, students hold different activities to entertain teachers at schools and colleges. These activities include singing competition, dance competition, recitation of poems, mimicry of teachers, lots of games children play with teachers, plan a picnic, offer gifts and at last, they thank teachers by expressing their gratitude.

Teachers are those who show us the correct path and guide us in life, providing us with the light of the righteous path. Without any selfishness, teachers show the correct path to their students and help them achieve their goals and that’s why we celebrate Teacher’s Day as a mark of respect to them. Here’s a look at some of the greatest teachers in Indian history.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: He was the 11th President of India and the former chief of ISRO. Dr. Kalam offered India, a supreme vision in space technology and aeronautical. He is popularly known as the missile man of India. Dr. Kalam was very close to the children and wrote many books to inspire the students including his autobiography. He once wrote, “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me".

Chanakya: When it comes to the great teachers in India, Chanakya tops the list. In the Indian scriptures, Chankaya’s learnings were written with the golden feather. He trained the King of Patliputra to save Patliputra from foreign conspirators. Chanakya wrote, “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”

Swami Vivekananda: He is known for his exemplary writings, teachings, and his illustrations. Several times Swami Ji represented India in foreign countries. He propagated the Gurukul System, where the homes turned into schools to provide children a better upbringing. He changed the lifestyle of the young children and begin the movement of planned education in India. Swami Ji once said, “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”

Savitribai Phule: She was the first female teacher of India who opened the first women's school. She fought to open a school for untouchable girls in an era when girls were forced to keep under a covering and were forced to get married at in early age. She was also the founder of modern Marathi poetry. Savitribai Phule was also awarded by the British government for her contribution to education.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan served as a professor at Madras Presidency College and led the emphasis on Spiritual education. He loved training students and he even calls them at his home for free lectures. When people asked if they could celebrate his birthday he replied,

"Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers' Day."

his concept of education is the harmonious blending of the positive points of both Eastern and Western culture. Commenting on „Education‟, at the close of his introduction to “Essentials of Psychology,” Radhakrishnan says:

“The basis of educational theory is psychology. Education has for its aim the complete and harmonious development of the different functions of man. What those are and how they develop are problems of psychology. Every educator must have a full knowledge of the nature of the mind which it is his business to bring into fullness and maturity. A knowledge of a child-mind is, therefore, necessary for a teacher. Again, any method of teaching opposed to psychological principles is false. Psychology thus affords to the negative touchstone of the true method of teaching.” (D. Anjaneyulu, 1996).

Radhakrishnan expressed his worry at the plight of the diminishing human values. He felt: if education does not build wisdom and humanity in the hearts and minds of men all its professional, scientific, and technological triumphs would be meaningless. The following concepts and functions of education are given below (Aggarwal, J.C., 2002, p.256- 259):

• Education- Training of Intellectual, Heart, and Spirit: Radhakrishnan desires, education to be complete, must be humane, it must include not only the training of the intellect but the refinement of the heart and the disciplined spirit. No education can be regarded as complete if it neglects the heart and the spirit” (Occasional Speeches and Writings, 1956, p.142).
• Humanism in Education: No nation in this world can hold its place of primacy in perpetuity. What counts is the moral contribution we make to human welfare. Let us, therefore, try and develop the qualities of charity in judgment and compassion for people who are suffering. If we adopt such an approach, the tensions of the world will diminish rapidly (Occasional Speeches and Writings, 1956, p.142).
• Education for Democracy: Education must be developing a democratic attitude. Educational institutions should train people for freedom, unity, and not localism, for democracy, not for dictatorship.
• Education to Develop Scientific Spirit: Science is to be used for productive work. We should develop spirit for inquiry and dedication in the pursuit of science and scholarship.
• Education and Human Values: There is a great deal of intellectual and technical skill but then ethical and spiritual vitality is at a low ebb. Man’s completeness results from the pursuit of truth and its application to improve human life, the influence of what is beautiful in nature, man and art, and spiritual development and its embodiment in ethical principles.
• Education and Spiritual Values: Education is the means by which we can tide up our minds, acquire information, as well as a sense of values. True democracy is a community of citizens differing from one another but all bound to a common goal (Occasional Speeches and Writings, Second Series, 1957, p.88).
• Education – A search for Integration: Education aims at making us into civilized human beings, conscious of our moral and social obligations. We must know the world in which we live, physical, organic, and social. We must have an idea of the general plan of the universe and the search for truth. When we attain truth our burdens are lightened and our difficulties are diminished. It lights up our pathway with the radiance of joy (Occasional Speeches and Writings, Third Series, 1963, p.87).
• Education- A Capacity for Discernment: Education has for its aims not merely acquisition of information but the capacity for discernment. Judgment is more important than cleverness. In our country today we have many men who are clever but not many who are upright. We should cultivate respect for integration. Purity is essential in daily life and administration.
• Education to Develop the Spirit of Enquiry: We should develop the spirit of enquiry and dedication to the pursuit of science and scholarship. We waste our years in college in trivialities and inanities. We need education in character.
• Education to Train People for Freedom and Democracy: If we twist the minds of the young out of shape, they will be a danger to society. Our young should have a sense of purpose.
• Education and Self-Discipline: We must train the young to the best possible all-round living, individual and social. We must make them intelligent and good.
• Education Institutions to Preserve the Spirit of the Youth: Unless we preserve the spirit of youth, keep an open mind, and change our belief and practice, we cannot endure. India has endured for centuries; it is because she has kept her spirit of youth.
• Education of Women: Women are human beings and have as much right to full development as men have. In regard to opportunities for intellectual and spiritual development, we should not emphasize the sex of women even as we do no emphasize sex of men. In all human beings, irrespective of their sex, the same drama of the flesh and the spirit, of finitude and transcendence takes place.

Teachers Day is a great occasion for celebrating and enjoying the relationship between teachers and students. So, try to remind your teachers why they are an integral part of nation-building and convey your wishes. If they are far then send them a message and make his/her day memorable.