September 5, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India and a great teacher, is celebrated as the Teacher’s Day in India. When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the president of India in 1962, some of his students and friends approached him and requested him to allow them to celebrate 5th September, his “birthday”. In reply, Dr. Radhakrishnan said, “instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ day”. The request showed Dr.Radhakrishnan’s love for the teaching profession. From then onwards, the day has been observed as Teachers’ Day in India.
Teachers’ Day Celebrations
In some countries, Teachers’ Days are intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers. Some of them are holidays while others are celebrated during working days. Teacher’s Day in India is a tribute to the hard work that is put by the teacher all year long to educate a child. Teachers and students report to school as usual but the usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanks and remembrance. At some schools on this day, the responsibility of teaching is taken up by the senior students as an appreciation for their teachers. They go to the junior classes, teach the subjects of their choice and try to maintain discipline as their teachers would have. In a lecture or two, the students and teachers interact in the auditorium and exchange messages of wisdom, knowledge and success. On this particular day, teachers are made to feel how important they really are, to the students who’ll become the citizens of tomorrow and hold the key to the future of the nation.
Who is a Teacher? What is Education?
This is a question that has been bothering me since my senior secondary certification days. Things aren’ better today, nor do I hold the hope that they’ll get better in the near future. This question bothers me because I don’t know the answer is false. I know and understand it well. But the said part is that those who implement education in India don’t understand it. The controllers of the Indian Education System don’t get it.
Who is a teacher? What is Education?
I’ll quote an excerpt from the Indian President, A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s address on the eve of Teachers’ Day in India , 2003.
…I am reminded of my childhood days when I was studying in 8th class at the age of 13. I had a teacher, Shri Siva Subramania Iyer. He was one of the very good teachers in our school. All of us loved to attend his class and hear him. One day he was teaching about a bird’s flight. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard depicting the wings, tail and the body structure with the head. He explained how birds create the lift and fly. He also explained to us how they change direction while flying. For nearly 25 minutes he gave the lecture with various information such as lift, drag, how the birds fly in a formation of 10, 20 or 30. At the end of the class, he wanted to know whether we understood how birds fly. I said, I did not understand. When I said this, the teacher asked the other students whether they understood or not. Many students said that they also did not understand. He did not get upset by our response since he was a committed teacher.
Our teacher said that he would take all of us to the sea shore. That evening the whole class was at the sea shore of Rameswaram. We enjoyed the roaring sea waves knocking at the sandy hills in the pleasant evening. Birds were flying with sweet chirping voice. He showed the sea birds in formations of 10 to 20 numbers. We saw the marvelous formations of birds with a purpose and we were all amazed. He showed us the birds and asked us to see that when the birds fly, what they looked like. We saw the wings flapping. He asked us to look at the tail portion with the combination of flapping wings and twisting tail. We noticed closely and found that the birds in that condition flew in the direction they desired. Then he asked us a question, “Where the engine is and how it is powered”?
The bird is powered by its own life and the motivation of what it wants. All these things were explained to us within fifteen minutes. We all understood the dynamics from this practical example. How nice it was. Our teacher was a great teacher; he could give us a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example available in nature. This is real teaching. I am sure many of the teachers in schools and colleges will follow this example…
…In an integrated way it can be said, that any enlightened human being can be created by three unique characteristics. One is moral value system. That I got from my father the hard way. Secondly, the teacher becoming a role model. Not only does the student learn, but the teacher shapes his life with great dreams and aims. Finally, the education and learning process has to culminate in the creation of professional capability leading to confidence and will power to make a design, to make a product, to make a system, bravely combating many problems…
When we are kids, or we are young and wild, or old.. When we are watching the birds fly.. When we are sitting in the park listening to what the silent nature says.. Whether we are reading a news item in a newspaper or a blog post on the internet.. WE ARE ALWAYS LEARNING some thing or the other at all points of our life. I just wish all your teachers are so good and make you a better human being at each turn.
Happy Learning. Happy Teachers Day.
In some countries the Teacher Day celebrates at September 1, what a coincidence.
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I am a teacher and I liked the quote you added into the post. A good teacher keeps their patience and explores different ways to explain concepts to their students. I think teachers should be celebrated much more often than just one day a year.
Nice post, i enjoyed reading it immensely.
-Caroline
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Almost everyone can remember their favourite teacher from school, it’s normally someone we looked up to and respected. Good teachers are still essential for ensuring a good education for future generations.
Sadly, in the UK at least, teaching is seen as a less and less attractive career (for many reasons) and the government is struggling to recruit good teachers.
Nevertheless, Happy Teachers Day!
I still see my teachers from long past, and they still have that motherly outlook. I was blessed to have such a great set of teachers and mentors that looked out for me. Happy Teachers Day.
Hi, this is a great post. Personally, I think Teacher’s Day should be every day. As an ESL teacher in southern Italy, I really try to make the differences in students’ lives today that will make them employable tomorrow. Hope every teacher has a Happy day every day, no matter where you are!
I applaud all the teachers. Their work is really hard yet they usualy don’t get paid much even though it’s one of the most important functions in every country.
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Am form Australia, but i wanted to be in India for these men only………
he has great philosophy
thanks mate for these wonderful info
my dad used to say that those that can’t do, teach. that might be true for some people but i was just thinking the other day about teachers that shaped my life, and so something you can definitely say is teachers turn people into doers.
I don’t think I’d be able to be a teacher. The pressure would be too much for me.
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I surely look forward to be a teacher some day.
My gf is a teacher and they deserve a ton of credit. They dont get told thanks enough. Great post.
Education is more important than we all sometimes think. This is not only investment in our and our children future life but also huge investment in the whole humanity future. And that is because the more we learn and understand the better people we can become. Of course everyone has different potential and plans, but it is about giving more chances not perfect solutions.
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Recognition of the importance of education and those who are its dedicated servants seem to prove effective results in nations such as China and India where this investment in their future will do more than anything else to facilitate their standing as global economic superpowers of the 21st century.
Nice day to give tribute to great teachers in india…
in our College we use to cele brate this day praise every teacher and pay them great thanks
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Suggested to list out the teachers who are familiar in their Political or Public life.
Teachers represent the face of future generation. I wish every nation had a wonderful leader and teacher like Dr. Radhakrishnan. Coincidentally we here in USA celebrate the first Monday in the month of September as Labor Day and more coincidentally on 5th of May we celebrate Teacher’s Day.
Regards,
Mack McMillan
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The best teachers I know have a deep understanding of what they teach, and explain the truth to their students straightforwardly and lovingly. Truth without love is an irritant, but love without truth has no foundation and collapses under pressure.
Clear truth married with unselfish love to others makes for a great teacher!
I really found the Gurus in India very fascinating. They have this high level of spiritualism and stuff.
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Teacher’s day in INDIA it celebrate like a great day for all teachers,they all seems like a respected post.
Great Post. I realize the importance of teachers in my life and can totally appreciate their value. From what I was in my junior school, I transformed into a mature adult courtesy my teachers at school. To this date I acknowledge their contribution and it can never be enough.
Thanks for sharing…!
yes its really great day for us specially for teachers
Not everyone can be a teacher. Teaching is a special gift. In my life the difference has always been clear. Any good system for teachers should have a way to reward the talent and discourage those who should probably be pursuing a different career. Great work in India. Thanks for the post.
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We here in NZ celebrate teachers day on October 30th the same day of world teachers day. Teachers lay the foundation for the future nation and its one of the profession looked with high esteem and dignity by fellow civilians. I thank my teachers this day.
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A teacher is someone who in all people commits himself/herself for the benefits of his/her students. Being a teacher requires all the efforts and the commitment. It is a noble job. Not everybody can be a good teacher.
Teachers days was mostly celebrated in most countries. The celebration aims to recognize the teachers for giving their time to shape the talents of their students. I’m very thankful for my teachers for they teaches me well.
Recognition of the importance of education and those who are its dedicated servants seem to prove effective results in nations such as China and India where this investment in their future will do more than anything else to facilitate their standing as global economic superpowers of the 21st century.
In the UK our teachers get little to no respect, in general. It’s nice to see teachers being appreciated somewhere
Guru govind dou khade kake lagu pau..Bali hari guru aapne govind diyo batay these r some precious lines by kabir according to this if i have to choose bet my teacher and my lord i would choose my teacher coz it was my teacher who taught me abt god and his presence
Education and Teaching should bee on first place, great news, thank you
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happy teachers’ day
the education system will be the biggest hurdle. The shortage of teachers is a clear issue and appreciation needs to be granted to this profession.
I love this day and celebrate this day every year…Dr. radhakrishnan is my ideal.
It seems that other countries have a great esteem for their teachers more than we do here in the United States. Teachers are valued here but are often under appreciated where is sometimes may count: compensation. I am a parent involved with my children’s school and now I am compelled to find out what our district does to celebrate Teacher’s Day… if we do it at all. I did ask one of my kid’s teachers what they would appreciate. Simply, she, said a parent coming up to her and saying what a difference she has made on the student makes her day.
I consider teachers as the second parents of their students. Most lessons in life are learned from school. It’s more than the academical side, the way a student behind in front of other people.
I salute all the teachers who are willing to spend their time sharing their knowledge to everybody.
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Without a teacher no one becomes an engineer, nurse, accountant, programmer, librarian and all other professionals that are usually in a companies or establishments or even in their own businesses…
Teachers are our mentors/educators… They did a great job in our society..
Yes, I do agree if we will call or treat them as our second parents.
I salute all the teachers in the world!!!!Thanks to you!!!
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An anonymous author once wrote: “A good teacher is like a candle which consumes itself to light the way for others.” I know how teachers work hard to educate their students, not only about academic subjects but also about life. People must not also forget that behind every successful student is a great teacher who has helped the student achieves his dreams.
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Respect to teachers of the world !
Yeah I guess the teachers of this world should get a day dedicated to them
. Only one though 
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Great article…I personally think that everyone should know the importance of Teachers day.It will be really good for all if they celebrate it with great enthusiasm and courage and the feeling will also be very nice.
This is my first time to this site and I’m very much interested in the subject matter of your blog.I like the way of your presentation.
We should be grateful to our teachers who have taught us.
Kudos to our teachers…
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My teacher gave us an assignment based on the study tour to gwalior (in india) we had made this year in september. she has given us a set of topics that have to be included in the written project.thanks…
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It’s important to respect teachers and recognize their contribution to our lives and to society in general.
So far, in the history of India, teaching in the villages is one of the major occupations for which we have not yet developed that make an average person capable of competence and performance. And who wants it? For if the poor is not poor in knowledge, awareness steps in. Awareness is bothersome, ignorance is painless!The job is undoubtedly easy
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I’m not sure if we have a teacher’s day here. great post
I still see my teachers from long past, and they still have that motherly outlook. I was blessed to have such a great set of teachers and mentors that looked out for me.
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If your teacher is a guru, someone who has directly experienced spirit and God, then there is so much to learn from his/her words and presence. Just sitting in their darshan is a blessing. Thank God for teachers.
Great post. The importance of teacher in our life can not be ignored. A teacher makes us successful by guiding us to a right path.
teacher is like a candle that alway inspire us to light the way to consumes itself.
After a father, A Teacher stands first position in a student life because teachers teach the student how to face the barriers of life. And teachers also help to grow up their student in real life.
Good teacher is the inspiring body which molds the wrong way to right direction and enlighten the little hearts