Teachers' Day 2021: Know why we celebrate the day on September 5

While we know Teachers' day is a special occasion on which we honour our mentors, know why it is celebrated on September 5.

Pic courtesy: Pixabay (Representational image)

New Delhi: Teachers are the ones who catch us when we fall and give us the most important lessons of life. Perhaps it is a small recognition of their contribution to society that each year, on September 5, the nation celebrates Teachers' Day.

The day is no less than a festival in schools wherein senior students dress up as teachers and teach junior classes. Celebrations are carried out the entire day and schools are usually decorated along with some special activities planned. 

With such celebrations taking place all around, it is important to know when and why was September 5, named Teachers' Day.

In the year 1962, the first Teachers' Day was celebrated when Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan began serving the nation as the second president. Wondering what is the connection between these two events?  

The answer is here - Dr. Sarvepalli had many achievements to his credit. As a teacher, he taught students at Calcutta University and Chennai's Presidency College from the years 1931- 1936. In the year 1936, he became the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford, a position he retained for 16 years.

To celebrate his prestigious position as the second president of the nation, several students approached Dr. Radhakrishnan and suggested that his birthday should be celebrated as 'Radhakrishnan Day'.

But the benevolent teacher and Bharat Ratna said that it would be a privilege if his birthday, that is, September 5, is celebrated as 'Teachers' Day'. It is from that day that September 5 has been dedicated to teachers and the entire nation salutes them for their contribution to society.

Here's wishing a very Happy Teachers' Day to everyone!