How is Guru Purnima Related to Teacher’s Day?
Teacher’s Day is celebrated all over the world but the date and time of celebration vary from one country to other. For example, in the US, teacher day is celebrated in the first week of May but the UK celebrates its teachers on 9 May. It is only in India that it is celebrated twice – Guru Purnima and 5 September.
What is Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima falls on the full-moon day in the month of Ashadha (June-July). It is considered an auspicious day to honor the spiritual and academic teachers. But 5 September is the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first Vice President of India. Born on 5 September 1888 in a Telugu speaking Niyogi Brahmin family, he was a noted philosopher and statesman.
Why is 5 September a Teacher’s Day?
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan started his career as an academician. A scholar throughout his academic life, he joined the Department of Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College and became Professor of Philosophy in 1918 in the University of Mysore. The most influential scholar of 20th century, he taught the world comparative religion and philosophy. No other leader or academician could match the stature of academician, philosopher and statesman Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
