All About Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was the Philosopher President of India. was born on September 5, 1988 in Madras. He was a renowned philosopher and held prestigious academic positions both in India and abroad.He held the position of Professor and Vice-chancellor in various universities and promoted academic excellence. He was also invited to various international platforms to deliver lectures in philosophy. He also promoted cultural diplomacy by holding the position of India's Ambassador to the Soviet Union. He was appointed as the 1st Vice-President of India in 1952 and 2nd President of India in 1962. He authored many books in the field of philosophy such as Indian Philosophy, The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, Eastern Religions and Western Thought, The Philosophy of the Upanishads, An Idealist View of Life etc. For his contributions in the field of Philosophy and promoting peace and goodwill among nations, he received various awards including Bharat Ratna, Knighthood, Order of Merit and Soviet Lenin Peace Prize. He passed away on April 17, 1975, at the age of 86. His immense contributions in the education and his respect for teachers led to the establishment of Teacher's Day in his honor.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, a town in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India). He received his primary education from Thiruttani’s K.V. High School. He pursued his higher studies at the Madras Christian College and later completed his Masters in Philosophy from the University of Madras. During this time his intellectual journey began. He held prestigious academic positions both in India and abroad. His political journey began when he became the first President of India in 1952. His political career also involved diplomatic roles. He bridged the goodwill of India with various nations. Later, he became the 2nd President of India.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a distinguished Indian philosopher, statesman, and teacher who left an indelible mark on India's intellectual and political landscape. He had a profound academic career in philosophy. Beyond academia, he ventured into diplomacy and public service, representing India as its Ambassador to the Soviet Union and subsequently ascending to the roles of Vice President and President of India.

• He received his early education at a Christian missionary school in Tiruttani before moving on to further studies. He was exceptionally excellent at academics from his young age.
• Due to his excellent performance, he received many scholarships during his studies.
• He enrolled at Madras christian College for his higher studies in philosophy.
• Under the guidance of renowned scholars there, he immersed himself in the works of Western thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Kant, as well as Indian philosophical traditions, including Vedanta and Advaita Vedanta.
• His early life and education played a crucial role in shaping his intellectual development and setting him on the path to becoming one of India's most revered thinkers.

• Professorship :
  • After completing his education, he began his academic career as a professor in Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College.
  • In 1918, he was appointed as the Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore.
  • He later served as the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Calcutta from 1921-1932.
• Vice-Chancellorship
  • Radhakrishnan held the post of Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936.
  • From 1939 to 1948, he served as as the Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University.
  • In his career as Vice-chancellor, he played a pivotal role in shaping the academic direction of the respective universities and promoting excellence in education and research.
• International recognition :-
  • He was invited to deliver lectures and participate in academic conferences around the world. Through his lectures, he promoted the rich Indian philosophy worldwide.
  • He promoted dialogue and exchange of ideas with different countries during his visits.
  • His international engagements also involved cultural diplomacy. He believed in the importance of cultural exchange in fostering good will among nations.
  • He received numerous honors and awards from foreign governments and institutions in recognition of his efforts to bridge East-West philosophical traditions and promote intercultural dialogue.
• Philosophical Writings :-
  Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan made significant contributions to the philosophical writings. Some of his notable contributions are :-
  • “Indian Philosophy” (1923) : In this, extensive survey of the major schools of Indian philosophy, including Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Buddhism is included. He analyzes the differing perspectives of various schools of thought in this text.
  • "The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore” (1917) : In this insightful book, He explores the philosophical ideas and literary works of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The significance of Tagore’s thoughts in the context of Indian philosophy and culture was highlighted in this book.
  • “Eastern Religions and Western Thought" (1939) : In this book, the interaction between the Eastern religions and western philosophical thoughts are explored. In this work, he examines the fundamental principles of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, juxtaposing them with Western philosophical concepts such as idealism, materialism, and existentialism.
  • The Philosophy of the Upanishads (1924) : In this work, he delves into the central themes and concepts proposed in the Upanishads, such as Brahman (the ultimate reality), Atman (the self), Maya (illusion), Karma (action), and Moksha (liberation).
  • An Idealist View of Life (1932) : He explored the fundamental principles of idealism and their implications for ethics, spirituality, and the pursuit of truth
  • East and West: Some Reflections (1955) : is a collection of essays exploring the cultural, philosophical, and spiritual encounters between Eastern and Western civilizations.

• Ambassadorship and Diplomacy :-
  • Radhakrishnan's career as an ambassador began in 1949 when he was appointed as India's Ambassador to the Soviet Union. He held this position until 1952.
  • During his tenure as ambassador, he strengthened the diplomatic ties between Soviet Union and India in the times of cold war.
  • He represented India at the United Nations and participated in diplomatic negotiations and discussions on various international issues.
  • Radhakrishnan's tenure at the United Nations helped raise India's position as a leading voice at global level.
  • Throughout his diplomatic career, he promoted India's rich cultural heritage and philosophical traditions abroad.
• Vice Presidency :-
  • In 1952, Radhakrishnan was elected as the first Vice-President of India. He held this position until 1962.
  • As Vice President, Radhakrishnan served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity, he presided over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and upheld the principles of parliamentary democracy and constitutional governance.
• Presidency :-
  • In 1962, Radhakrishnan was elected as the second President of India, succeeding Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
  • He served as President of India until 1967.
  • He used his presidency to advocate for educational reforms and academic excellence.
  • Radhakrishnan brought his deep philosophical knowledge to the Presidency and earned the title of the "Philosopher-President."

• Bharat Ratna : Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was honoured with the prestigious Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India in 1954 for his distinguished service to the nation and his outstanding contributions to philosophy, education, and public life.
• Knighthood : In 1931, Radhakrishnan received the honour of knighthood from by King George V for his exceptional contributions in the field of Philosophy. He was also conferred the title of "Sir,"
• Order of Merit : In 1963, Radhakrishnan was honoured with the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II for his exceptional contributions to philosophy and literature.
• Soviet Lenin Peace Prize : In 1957 he was awarded the prestigious Lenin Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace and cooperation between the two nations.
• Honorary Memberships and Fellowships : Radhakrishnan was appointed as an honorary member or fellow of numerous prestigious academic institutions such as British Academy, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Asiatic Society.
• Honorary Doctorates : Radhakrishnan received doctorates from various universities in India and abroad including Oxford University, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago.

Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan passed away on April 17, 1975, at the age of 86. His death marked the end of the era. Radhakrishnan's death left a void in the intellectual and cultural landscape of India. But his philosophical teachings continue to inspire generations of students and thinkers.

"A life of joy and happiness is possible only on the basis of knowledge and science.” - Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.

Radhakrishnan was a very prominent figure in Indian history. As a philosopher, educator, diplomat, and statesman, he continues to inspire millions around the world. As he immensely contributed in the field of education and always advocated for the importance of teachers in shaping the future of a nation, his birthday 5 September has been observed as Teachers’ day since 1962.