Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Early Life, Education and Career

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a remarkable figure in Indian history, known for his roles as a scholar, philosopher, and statesman. Although best remembered as India’s second President, his significant contributions to philosophy, education, and the promotion of Hinduism and Vedanta are equally noteworthy.

Early Life and Education of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5^th September, 1888, in Tiruttani, Madras Presidency, British India. His parents, Sarvepalli Veeraswami and Sarvepalli Sita, were part of a Telugu-speaking Niyogi Brahmin family roots in the Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district. Radhakrishnan’s early education took place in Thiruttani and Tirupati, but it was at Madras Christian College where he truly excelled, graduating in 1906 with a Master’s degree in Philosophy.

Academic Achievements of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan embarked on a distinguished academic career, starting as a professor of philosophy at Madras Philosophy in 1909. He later became a Professor at the University of Mysore in 1918 and authored significant articles and books on philosophy, including “The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore” and “The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosphy.” In 1921, he assumed the prestigious King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta. His academic accomplishments led him to deliver notable lectures, receive a knighthood and serve as Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Spalding Professor at the University of Oxford.

International Recognition

Radhakrishnan’s global influence began with his attendance at international conferences and lectures. He participated in the International Congress at Philosphy at Harvard University and the British Empire Universities Congress, earning recognition as an expert in India thought. His Hibbert Lecture, “An Idealist View of Life,” delivered at Manchester College, Oxford, was another significant milestone in his intellectual journey.

Oxford Professorship and Nobel Nomination

In 1936, Radhakrishnan became a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford and was appointed the Spalding Professor at Eastern Religions Ethics. He was even nominated for the Nobel Prize 27 times, 11 times for the Nobel Peace Prize and 16 times for Literature, highlighting the global acknowledgement of his contributions.

Political Career of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan entered politics later after establishing himself as an international authority in philosophy. He actively participated in the Andhra Mahasabha in 1928 and supported the renaming of the Ceded Districts division as Rayalaseema. After India gained independence, he represented the nation at UNESCO and served as India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union. Radhakrishnan was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India and subsequently became the first Vice-President of India in 1952. Later, he assumed the role of the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. His political motivations were rooted in defending Hindu culture and Indian intellectual traditions.

Why Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Birthday celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India?

When Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan assumed the presidency of India, his students and friends approached him with a request to celebrate his birthday on September 5. In a humble response, he suggested that the day be dedicated to honoring teachers instead. Since then, 5^th September has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India, a tribute to the profound impact of educators on society.

Philosophical Legacy

Radhakrishnan’s most enduring legacy lies in his philosophical contributions. He bridged the gap between Eastern and Western thought, defending Hinduism against Western misconceptions. He argued that Advaita Vedanta, with its emphasis on intuition and inner realization, represented the pinnacle of religious experience.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan – Awards & Honors

Dr. Savepalli Radharishnan received many award & honors, some of the important honors are as follows:

Honor	Year	Country
Knight Bachelor	1931	British India
Bharat Ratna	1954	India
Order of the Aztec Eagle	1954	Mexico
Pour Le Merite	1954	Germany
Order of Merit	1963	United Kingdom

Literacy Work By Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Here is the list of some important books written or authored by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:

Books	Year
A Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore	1918
Indian Philosophy	1923
The Hindu View of Life	1926
An Idealist View of Life	1929
Kalki or the Future of Civilization	1929
Eastern Religious and Western Thought	1939
Religion and Society	1947
The Bhagvatgita: with an introductory essay, Sanskrit Text, English Translation and Notes	1948
The Dhammapada	1950
The Principal Upanishads	1953
Recovery of Faith	1956
A Source Book in Indian Philosophy	1957
The Brahma Sutra: The Philosophy of Spiritual Life	1959
Religion, Science and Culture	1968