Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: How September 5 came to be observed as Teachers’ Day

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Indian academic and philosopher, was born on September 5, 1887, though he himself believed his birthdate to be September 20, 1887. His academic career began at Madras Christian College in 1907 and he went on to teach at various institutions including the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta.

Radhakrishnan’s close association with Jawaharlal Nehru cemented his identity with September 5, leading to the decision to observe Teachers’ Day on this date. Even though his exact birthdate has been a subject of debate, Radhakrishnan’s contributions to philosophy, education and politics have made him a revered figure in Indian history.