Teachers have an influencing role in the life of every student. They are like beacons of light, guiding us in the formative years of our life. Teachers mould us and in the process and shape our future. What we learn from our teachers remains with us, throughout our life. However, very often, we fail to show our appreciation and gratitude for their altruistic devotion. Teachers too need feed back in form of encouragement and support from the community to feel that their efforts are being recognized. 

 

To serve the purpose, Teacher's Day is celebrated throughout India, year by year. By celebrating Teacher's Day, we thank our teachers for providing us their invaluable guidance. In India Teacher’s day is celebrated on 5th of September, every year. The date was selected, because it is the birthday of a timeless teacher- Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Apart from being a timeless teacher he was also one of the most distinguished diplomats, scholars, the first Vice President and the second President of India.  In 1962 when some of his students and friends approached him and requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, he said, "instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege, if September 5th is observed as Teacher's day". From then onwards, the 5th of September has been observed as Teachers Day, in India.

 

Dr. Radhakhrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country". On this day, we gratefully remember the great educationist, apart from honoring all the teachers that have made our life much more knowledgeable and fulfilled, as serving as our beacons of light. In India teacher’s day is celebrated with great zeal, fervor and enthusiasm.

 

Though teacher’s day has been observed since 1962 yet their efforts and importance has been recognized since centuries back. In “Vaidic Kaal” (vaidic period) teachers were called as Guru. And students had immense respect for them.  They could never thought of not obeying any of their Guru’s order. The epical story of the Greatest Guru Dronacharya and his student Eklavya who learnt archery from him and gave his thumb to his Guru without giving a second thought, is indeed highly motivational and tribute to the values attached with Teacher.

 

Famous Sanskrit shloka  that depicts the importance of Gurus.

 

 

The above shloka depicts a deep meaning and says that the Guru’s importance is equivalent to the importance of God. Rather than being just a shloka written centuries back, it clearly shows the psychology of students and importance of teachers at that point of time.

 

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping a society's future as a whole. They guide us through the murky chasms of ignorance and disbelief towards the illuminated path of knowledge and wisdom. With their invaluable contribution in the society, teachers truly appear as a foundation stone of all developments. We will always be thankful to them for their constructive support. It is as an expression of this gratitude only that we celebrate Teacher's Day in India.