Why September 5 is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India

In India, September 5 is celebrated as Teachers' Day to honour teachers for their contributions in shaping the life of students. 

September 5 is also the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna recipient Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was the first Vice President and second President of India post Independence. He was born on September 5, 1888.

One of India's most distinguished twentieth-century scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan also worked as Professor at various Indian and international colleges and varsities like Madras Presidency College, University of Mysore, University of Calcutta, University of Oxford and University of Chicago.

His philosophy was based on Advaita Vedanta, its reinterpretation for a contemporary understanding. He defended Hinduism against "uninformed Western criticism", contributing to the formation of contemporary Hindu identity. His reinterpretation of understanding of Hinduism earned him a reputation as a bridge-builder between India and the West.

Radhakrishnan also reinterpreted Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya's notion of 'Maya'. According to Radhakrishnan, 'Maya' is not a strict absolute idealism, but "a subjective misperception of the world as ultimately real."

Dr Radhakrishnan was also one of the founders of Helpage India, a non-profit organisation for elderly underprivileged in India. 

Why Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birthday is celebrated as Teachers' Day?

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country". When he became the President of India (1962–1967), some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, on 5 September. He replied, "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' Day." His birthday has since been celebrated as Teachers' Day in India.

On this day, students would organise special programs at school and colleges to pay respect to their teachers. In some schools, students of senior classes would take the responsibility of teaching junior classes in order to show their appreciation for the teachers.