A prominent thinker, educator, and philosopher; Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the second President of India (1962-67). Known as the Philosopher President, he authored various books - The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, and The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy, among others.

Born on 5^th September 1888, near a village in Tamil Nadu; Dr. Radhakrishnan completed his schooling from Lutheran Mission School, Tirupati and graduated with Master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Madras. At the age of 20, his MA thesis was published - The Ethics of the Vedanta and its Metaphysical Presuppositions.

 “A life of Joy and happiness is possible only on the basis of knowledge and science” – Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr Radhakrishnan began his career by joining the Department of Philosophy at Madras Presidency College. He later joined the University of Mysore’s Maharaja’s College as professor of Philosophy. Dr Radhakrishnan was also appointed at the University of Calcutta as a professor in philosophy, and occupied the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science.

When some of his students asked his permission to celebrate his birthday, he said he preferred the day to be celebrated as Teacher’s Day.

Since 1962, his birthday has been celebrated as Teacher’s day in India; an occasion where students pay tribute to their teachers.