Happy Teacher’s Day

The great philosopher, Dr S. Radhakrishnan said that a university is what its teachers make it. In the ancient universities in India, the teachers or professors as they are called today were treated with great respect though, unlike at present, they did not get good pay and perks.

Teacher's Day in India is celebrated every year on 5th September, ever since 1962. The day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a philosopher and a teacher par excellence, and also the first Vice President of India and the second President of India. Some students approached him to celebrate his birthday and he asked them to honor their teachers instead. Dr Radhakhrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country". Whether that is true or not in modern India is a contentious issue. Every day millions of parents hand over their children to teachers to mould and shape as they see fit. The authority and power invested in the teacher is immense. Do they measure up to that responsibility? Does the system encourage for the "best minds in the country" to enter the profession of teaching? These are difficult questions with no clear answers. But what is clear is the role of the teacher and the potential in that responsibility. And who can articulate that better than a life long teacher?

I congratulate all my teachers who shaped me from childhood on the occasion of Teacher’s Day. I respect each and every one who contributed in my life from all aspects. Happy Teacher's Day to all teachers in world and hope they will give their best result to make the society more civilized.