Ryan Editorial TeamThe 5th of September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India to honor the noble professionals who shape our lives. Education is one of the most important requirements for us as it equips us with the necessary knowledge to live and excel in this world. True education extends beyond books and class rooms. Teachers help us expand our intellect into the vast realm of worldly knowledge built on the solid foundation of morals and values.
Good teachers teach, and great teachers inspire. They inspire young minds to dream big, think critically and act responsibly. This blog piece sets out to commemorate a few of such great teachers who dared to dream big and touched countless lives with their precious wisdom and kindness.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is the second president of India. It is in his honor September 5th–his birthday—is being celebrated as Teachers’ Day. He is also known as the philosopher president. Born in 1888, Dr. Radhakrishnan is celebrated as a great scholar of Indian philosophy. His literary works have gained so much popularity worldwide. He served as a professor of philosophy in reputed institutions such as Madras Presidency College, University of Mysore, and University of Calcutta.
He was awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, in the year 1954.
Savitribai Phule
In the early 19th century India, education was not for the masses. Particularly, it was beyond the reach of women. Savitribai Phule, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, was a pioneer of education for girls in the country. In 1848, she started the first school for girls in Pune. She faced severe criticism, harsh verbal abuse, and even physical harassment because of this. Savitribai Phule used to carry an extra sari to school as people would throw cow dung at her on her way to her school. However, she was not deterred by these hurdles. She was steadfast in her mission and laid the solid foundation for women education and empowerment in India.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Fondly remembered as the People’s President and the Missile Man of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam is the most loved president of India and a beacon of hope for countless young Indians. Coming from modest beginnings, he had a passion for education from his very young age. He pursued his studies despite financial struggles in his life in a small fishing village in the southernmost part of India. He went on to study aerospace engineering. Being a patriot, he wanted to serve the nation and joined the Defence Research and Development Service. He went on to contribute immensely to the space program of India by playing a key role in the design of SLV-3 and PSLV rockets. His major contribution to the Indian defence sector was the successful testing of nuclear weapons in Pokhran.
But beyond all these, Dr. Kalam inspired young Indian minds to dream big! He loved being a teacher and enthusiastically conversed with children. He authored several important books, such as India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds, Advantage India: From Challenge to Opportunity, etc., which continue to inspire young students as well as policy makers.
Rabindranath Tagore
We all know Rabindranath Tagore as a literary giant, Nobel laureate, playwright and a social reformer. He was also one of the most progressive educators in the modern history of India. He founded several schools and a university as Shantiniketan. He believed in and built an education system that has its strong cultural roots but also branched out to embrace the wide world. His idea of education is highly experimental in nature and encompasses intercultural understanding and cohesion, respect for nature, rural empowerment, and artistic creativity. He envisioned education as a key tool for liberation and social empowerment, particularly for India to emerge on its own powers after years of social and economic suppression.
For these reasons, Tagore is fondly remembered as Gurudev (meaning “revered teacher”).
Why is it important to remember our teachers?
Remembering great teachers of the past and the teachers of our lifetime is important for one key reason. It helps us be grounded in our roots and reinforces the values we learned from them. Particularly in the current, fast-paced digital world, where AI and similar technologies are taking their place inside classrooms and impact the way knowledge is disseminated, the role of the teacher becomes even more crucial: to instill values, morals and shaping character. This can be done only by a teacher.
So, on this beautiful occasion, let us take a moment to remember our teachers with heartfelt gratitude and immense reverence. Let us apply the lessons they taught us in our daily lives and carry their legacies forward. Most importantly, as parents, let us reinforce in our children the value of respecting their teachers.
Ryan Schools salutes all the teachers in our country and worldwide with sincere respect and admiration!
