Teachers' Day: Google Doodle pays tribute to teachers on 131st birth anniversary of Dr S Radhakrishnan

On the occasion of Teachers' Day, Google has dedicated its Doodle to educators and teachers across the country. The doodle shows an animated red-coloured octopus performing experiments, teaching mathematics and reading book - in short multi-tasking -- with its tentacles. Every year India celebrates Teachers' Day on September 5 as a tribute to former President of India Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary. Dr Radhakrishnan, who was also India's first Vice President is known as an exemplary teacher, a renowned philosopher, scholar and a politician. Radhakrishnan's tenure as Vice President lasted for 10 years, from 1952 to 1963. Thereafter, he became the President of the country from 1962 to 1967.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind also extended their greetings to teachers on 131st birth anniversary of Dr S Radhakrishnan.

Prime Minister Modi on Twitter shared a video and said, "Teachers Day greetings to everyone. India pays tributes to Dr S Radhakrishnan, an exceptional teacher and mentor, on his Jayanti."

Why is Teachers' Day celebrated on September 5

It is said that when Radhakrishnan took over the office of the President, some of his former students came to wish him on his birthday on September 5 to which he said that he would be honoured if people celebrated September 5 as Teachers' Day.

Thereafter, India continued to celebrate Teacher's Day on September 5 from 1962 onward to mark the contribution of academicians and teachers in playing a significant role in building the lives of students as well as a better society.

Dr Radhakrishnan's significant contribution:

Radhakrishnan was one of the most recognized and influential Indian thinkers in academic circles in the 20th century. His extensive knowledge on the Western philosophical and literary traditions earned him the reputation of being a 'bridge-builder' between India and the West.

As a child, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an outstanding student. He later studied philosophy at Christian College, Madras and subsequently started teaching at various colleges of the University of Mysore as well as University of Calcutta.

Radhakrishnan later, took up his administrative post as Vice Chancellor at the then newly-founded Andhra University.  Dr Radhakrishnan served there for five years. In 1936, Oxford University appointed him to the H.N. Spalding Chair of Eastern Religions and Ethics. In late 1939, Radhakrishnan took up his second Vice Chancellorship at Benaras Hindu University (BHU), and served there during the course of the World War II until mid-January 1948, two weeks before Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in New Delhi.  From 1953 to 1962 he served as the Chancellor of University of Delhi.

Dr Radhakrishnan's work:

Radhakrishnan's written works include Indian Philosophy, 2 Vol. (1923-27), Philosophy of the Upanishads (1924), An Idealist View of Life (1932), Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939), and East and West: Some Reflections (1955). In his lectures and books he tried to interpret Indian thought for Westerners.

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954.  He was nominated 27 times for the Nobel Prize -- 16 times for the Nobel Prize in literature, and 11 times for the Nobel Peace prize.