Teacher's Day History & Significance, Why is it Celebrated: Despite all his achievements and contributions, Dr. Radhakrishnan remained a teacher throughout his life. Teachers’ Day is celebrated in honor of the memory of India’s first Vice President and to commemorate the importance of teachers in our lives. him. Born in an extremely poor Telugu Brahmin family, Radhakrishnan completed his entire education through scholarships. He possessed a master’s degree in Philosophy and authored the book ‘The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore’ in 1917. He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936 and the ViceChancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1939, succeeding Madan Mohan Malviya. He went on to teach at Chennai's Presidency College and Calcutta University. In 1931, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna — the highest civilian award in India in 1954. He was admitted as an honorary member of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. During his lifetime, Dr Radhakrishnan was a meritorious student, a celebrated teacher among students. It is said that while he was serving as the second President of India in 1962, his students approached him to seek permission to celebrate his birthday – September 5 – as a special day. To this, Dr Radhakrishnan instead made a request to observe September 5 as Teachers’ Day, to recognize the contribution of teachers to the society. At Sackhumvit students made posters and cards and WhatsApp messages and thanked all the teachers for the help, support and guidance. Here is what they had to say…