Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Born:5 September 1888

Died:17 April 1975

• He  was an Indian philosopher and statesman who was the first Vice President of India(1952–1962) and the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
• One of India’s most distinguished twentieth-century scholars of comparative religion and philosophy.
• His philosophy was grounded in Advaita Vedanta, reinterpreting this tradition for a contemporary understanding.
• He  was awarded several high awards during his life, including a knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India,in 1954.
• He was also one of the founders of Helpage India, a non profit organisation for elderly underprivileged in India.
• He  believed that “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. Since 1962, his birthday is being celebrated in India as Teachers’ Day on 5 September.
• When he became the President of India, some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, on 5 September. He replied,Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers’ Day.
• He won the Peace Prize of the German Book Tradein 1961.

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