“If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” This illustrious statement of India’s missile man, Lt. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is still resonating in the minds of every person. The quote epitomizes the influence of teachers on every individual’s mind and the society as a whole. Standing just next to the parents in the lead, teachers are truly an indispensable part of everyone’s life. They mold and nourish an individual’s talent and capabilities.
On every September 5, Teachers’ Day is celebrated all over India as an occasion to appreciate and acknowledge the efforts and hard work of our teachers in making us sophisticated and responsible individuals. The celebrations of Teachers’ Day in school is definitely one of the best memories for many of us. The countdown for the Teachers’ Day has begun and students are all geared up with a lot of vigor and vibrancy.
History Behind Teacher’s Day Celebrations
We all are grateful to our teachers, mentors, and gurus who play a crucial role in building the future, but do we know the history behind this Teachers’ Day celebration?
Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5, every year on the occasion of the birth anniversary of India’s second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Dr. Radhakrishnan was of the opinion that “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. When he became the second president of India in 1962, his students were eager to celebrate his birthday as ‘Radhakrishnan Day’ but he refused their idea by saying “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ Day.” Ever since then, his birthday is observed as Teachers’ Day all over the country.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the closest friends of Dr. Radhakrishnan said, “He has served his country in many capacities. But above all, he is a great teacher from whom all of us have learned much and will continue to learn. It is India’s peculiar privilege to have a great philosopher, a great educationist and a great humanist as our President. That in itself shows the kind of men we honor and respect.”
So, in a rundown, this day is celebrated to honour teachers, who are the architects of the society without which no society can progress.
Significance of Teachers’ Day Celebrations
The observance of Teachers’ Day all over the world signifies the importance of teachers in our lives. Teaching is the most persuasive job and a big responsibility in this world. Teachers are the storehouse of knowledge who believe in passing on their knowledge to their students who will assist in building a better world in the future. This will lead to a population that is bright and brainy, and the one that will comprehend the world the way it is and is not persuaded by emotions but by logic and facts. The celebration of this day is an honour that is imparted to the teachers for their infinite contributions in our lives. This day makes them realize their true value and prominence in our lives as well as in the world.
Dr. Radhakrishnan in his book, “Political Thinkers of Modern India” indicated the significance of teachers and education in a democratic country like India. According to him, teachers play a massive role in the building of the nation and for that reason, they deserve more respect. He also wrote a book on Bhagavad Gita in which he characterized teacher as, “The one who emphasizes on presentation to converge different currents of thoughts to the same end”.
Celebration of Teachers’ Day in India
The celebrations of Teachers’ Day is one of the best memories of the school days in every person’s mind. This day is considered as an important day in schools and colleges. Teachers’ Day is celebrated with full fervor and joy in all the educational institutions across India. On this day, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the great scholar, and an academic philosopher is honored as he was born on the same day in 1888.
Students perform special cultural programs like dances and skits for their teachers to make them happy and feel special in every way possible. Schools and colleges also organize special programmes in honour of the teachers who indulge in thankless work all throughout the year. Some schools give away awards to the teachers on this day. Teachers are made to participate in games with the students.
Students also deliver Teachers’ Day speech accentuating the efforts of their teachers and thanking them for their patient listening, encouraging pat and absolute love. Students dress up as their teachers and also assume their role by taking classes. Sometimes, the teachers also take on the role of the students.
The magnitude of celebrations varies from school to school and college to college depending on their management. Let us have a peep inside the Teachers’ day celebrations in some schools and educational institutions in India-
Celebrations of Teacher’s Day Worldwide
Teacher’s Day is also celebrated in the US in May first week. UNESCO also celebrates World Teacher’s Day every year on October 5 as “a day devoted to appreciating, assessing, and improving the educators of the world”.
Make your teachers feel special this Teachers’ Day.
Happy Teachers’ Day!
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How to write a great Teacher’s Day Essay
