Unveiling the Legacy of Dr S Radhakrishnan: Scholar, Statesman and Architect of Modern India

1.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 

(1888 - 1975)

"Education, to be, complete, must be human, it must include not only training of the intellect, but refinement of the heart and discipline of the spirit. No education can be regarded complete, if it neglects heart and spirit!" 

- Dr. S Radhakrishnan

 

Dr. S Radhakrishnan was an Indian scholar, philosopher and statesman. He played a vital role in shaping the political and intellectual landscape of present day India.

Birth:

He was born on September 5, 1988, in Tiruttani, former Madras Presidency of British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India).

Early Life:

He came from a modest family background. Despite financial constraints, he was a diligent and promising student.

Education:

He did his schooling in Thirupatti and Vellore. He completed his Masters in philosophy from Christian College, Madras (now Chennai) in 1906.

Philosophical Contribution:

He had profound understanding of the Eastern and Western philosophies. He wrote several influential works on Indian philosophy, comparative religion and ethics. Through his literary work, he bridged the gap between traditional Indian thoughts and modern philosophical ideas.

His philosophical values were rooted in "Advaita Vedanta", a school of Hindu thought founded by Shankaracharya,  emphasizing the non-dual nature of reality. He explained Hinduism in a relatable and graspable way to the global audience.

His writings like, "The philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore" and "The Hindu view of life" left remarkable impact on our lives. 

He emphasized the importance of humanity and ethics in education, that goes beyond mere academics. 

Career:

His career journey in academics took him to several prestigious institutions in India and abroad. He taught at various universities of repute like the University of Mysore, the University of Calcutta and Oxford university.

His leadership qualities were recognized during the Indian struggle for independence. 

• He served as the vice chancellor of Andhra University (1931-1936).
• He was appointed the vice chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (1939-1948). 
• He also became chancellor of university of Delhi (1953-1962).
• After India got independence, he became ambassador of India to Soviet union (1949-1952).
• He became the first vice president of independent India (1952-1962).
• He was elected as the second president of India, serving two terms from 1962 to 1967. 

In the capacity of president of India, he continuously emphasized and promoted education, culture and peace.

Legacy:

As a tribute to his immense contribution in the shaping and growth of education, his birthday, 5th September, is widely celebrated as Teacher's Day.

For his contributions, he was

• accorded Peace Prize of the German Book Trade (1961).
• given Templeton Prize (1975)
• nominated 16 times for the Noble Prize in Literature.
• nominated 11 times for the Noble Peace Prize.
• awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India, in 1954.

Demise:

Dr. Radhakrishnan left for his heavenly abode on April 17, 1975, leaving behind a huge legacy of philosophical insights, educational reforms and diplomatic achievements that continue to influence generations.

Bibliography:

1.   Article in a monthly magazine: Akash, September 4, 2018, https://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/2018/09/teachers-day-2018-all-you-need-to-know-about-dr-sarvepalli-radhakrishnan/