Teacher's Day Special: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's Essay, Character is Destiny
This week in Daak:
1. Teacher's Day Special: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's Essay, Character is Destiny
2. Something Special for Your Favourite Teachers
3. Daak Recommends
1. Teacher's Day Special: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's Essay, Character is Destiny
On 5 September, schools and colleges across India will celebrate Teacher’s Day, a day which honours the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher, scholar, and the second President of India. Dr. Radhakrishnan’s students had once suggested celebrating his birthday as Teacher's Day, but he requested that instead of celebrating him, the day should recognize the contributions of all teachers.
An influential teacher who believed that education could shape the future of the nation, he wrote several essays on the cultivation of social responsibility among students. In his famous essay, “Character is Destiny,” he asserts that true education transcends academic knowledge; it shapes individuals who are committed to alleviating the suffering of others.
The function of the universities is not merely to send out technically skilled and professionally competent men and women, but it is their duty to produce in them the quality of compassion, the quality which enables the individuals to treat one another in a truly democratic spirit.
In this light, it is rather ironic to see student protests being condemned and suppressed because Dr. Radhakrishnan would have been proud to see students across the world, but especially India, raising their voice against injustice.
As you celebrate your mentors, teachers and guides, and reflect on your own education, remember these words to live by.
Character is destiny. Character is that on which the destiny of a nation is built. One cannot have a great nation with men of small character. If we want to build a great nation, we must try to train a large number of young men and women who have character. We must have young men and women who look upon others as the living images of themselves…
2. Something Special for Your Favourite Teachers
Celebrate and thank your favourite teachers by giving them a meaningful gift inspired by the art and literature of South Asia. If you’re in Delhi or Bangalore, search for ‘Daak Vaak’ on Blinkit and get your delivery in 10 minutes!
3. Daak Recommends
Find “Character is Destiny” and other essays in a free copy of Radhakrishnan's book, The Present Crisis of Faith.
Read another Daak on J. C. Bose, a great teacher and scientist, who urged the youth to relentlessly pursue the truth.