By Lorenzo Billie In India, 5th September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day every year. What is the history behind this day? What prompted the celebration on the 5th of September every year in India? Let’s find out.
5th September every year is celebrated as teachers’ day in India with the aim of recognizing and appreciating the valuable contribution of teachers to the society. Almost every school in the country hosts special events on this day, with students particularly participating actively to make it a special day for their teachers. But what is the history behind this day that is attributed to an Indian teacher? What prompted the celebration on the 5th of September every year in India? Let’s find out.
Why is Teachers’ Day Celebrated?
Teachers’ day, which is celebrated on 5th September every year, has a direct correlation with an influential political figure from the 20th century. It marks the birth anniversary of India’s second president Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a teacher himself.
Dr. Radhakrishnan had a strong opinion that teachers should be the best minds in the country. After being elected as the second president of the union of India, his students were eager to celebrate his birthday as ‘Radhakrishnan Day.’ However, he did not pay heed to the idea. Instead, Dr. Radhakrishnan insisted that it would be a proud moment if his birthday was observed as teachers’ day in schools. Ever since then, 5th September is observed as teachers’ day all over the country.
Speaking about the same, India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru highlighted that Dr. Radhakrishnan had served the country in multiple capacities. However, he was also a great teacher, from whom everybody has learned and will continue to learn, insisted Pandit Nehru.
Significance of Teachers’ Day
Teachers’ Day is celebrated across the world in some way or the other, to signify the importance and impact of the teaching fraternity on the lives of the people, especially children. Indeed, teaching is a persuasive job that comes with extreme responsibility.
Teachers are the ultimate custodians of knowledge who strongly believe in passing down the knowledge to their students. Teachers’ efforts in molding the young minds go on to shape the future of the world. The celebration of teachers’ day is an honor and recognition for the infinite contribution of teachers in our lives.
Dr. Radhakrishnan, in his book Political Thinkers of Modern India rightly highlighted the significance of teachers in India. He exclaimed that teachers play a massive role in building the nation, which is why they deserve the utmost respect.
Celebrating Teachers’ Day in India
Teachers’ day celebration is one of the best memories from schooling days. Students organize events and programs to entertain the teachers in several schools across the country. Similarly, cultural acts and programs are conducted, along with students presenting symbolic gifts to the teachers.
Apart from India, teachers’ day is celebrated in the first week of May in the USA. UNESCO, on the other hand, also acknowledges the teachers’ contributions by celebrating it on 5th October every year. UNESCO defines it as “a day devoted to appreciating, assessing, and improving the educators of the world.”
Conclusion
The education system in India has evolved over the years from blackboard to an online teaching app. The magnitude of teachers’ day celebrations in India may vary. But the significance remains the same across schools in the country. Indeed, it is not possible to recognize their contribution by appreciating them on a defined day. Instead, every day should be a celebration of the efforts and hard work that the teaching fraternity puts in, to nurture and develop the future citizens of the country.
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