Context:
Recently, the Prime Minister of India interacted with the winners of the National Teachers’ Award 2023 on the eve of Teachers’ Day.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Dimensions of the Article:
- National Teachers’ Award
- Significance of Teacher’s Day in India
- About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
National Teachers’ Award
The National Teachers’ Award is a prestigious recognition in India with the following key aspects:
Celebrating Exceptional Educators:
- The primary objective of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the exceptional contributions of some of the country’s finest educators.
- It aims to acknowledge and honor those teachers who, through their unwavering dedication and commitment, have not only elevated the quality of education but have also positively impacted the lives of their students.
Presidential Recognition:
- These awards hold significant importance as they are conferred by the President of India.
- This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work of the teachers.
Components of the Award: The awards include several components:
- Silver Medal: A symbol of distinction and achievement.
- Certificate: Recognizing the recipient’s excellence in the field of education.
- Cash Prize: A cash award of Rs. 50,000, which serves as both an appreciation and an encouragement for the recipient’s continuous contributions.
Award Ceremony Date:
- The awards are presented on the 5th of September, a significant date as it coincides with Teacher’s Day in India, which marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher and India’s second President.
Expanded Recognition:
- In recent developments, the scope of the National Teachers’ Award has been expanded.
- Initially, it included teachers selected by the Department of School Education & Literacy.
- Now, it encompasses educators chosen by the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Skill Development.
- This expansion recognizes excellence in teaching across various educational domains, further highlighting the diverse contributions of outstanding educators.
Significance of Teacher’s Day in India
Honoring Educators:
- Teacher’s Day, observed annually on the 5th of September since 1962, serves as a special occasion to express gratitude and respect towards educators.
- It is a day dedicated to recognizing the significant contributions of teachers, researchers, and professors in India.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:
- The idea of celebrating Teacher’s Day in India is closely linked to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a prominent philosopher, statesman, and scholar.
- He was serving as the President of India at that time.
Origin of the Celebration:
- The tradition of celebrating Teacher’s Day on Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday was initiated in response to the earnest requests of students.
- Dr. Radhakrishnan, being an esteemed academician himself, suggested that instead of celebrating his birthday, which falls on the 5th of September, as a special day in his honor, it should be dedicated to honoring teachers and their vital role in shaping the nation’s future.
About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:
- Birth: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Academic Journey: He pursued his studies in philosophy at Christian College, Madras, and later went on to become a professor at prestigious institutions like Madras Presidency College and the University of Mysore.
- Diverse Roles: Dr. Radhakrishnan held several significant positions in his lifetime. He served as the first Vice-President of India from 1952 to 1962 and subsequently as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. He also represented India as Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952 and served as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948.
- Honors: In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Dr. Radhakrishnan was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1984.
- Notable Works: Dr. Radhakrishnan was a prolific author and philosopher. His notable works include “Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy,” “Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore,” “The Hindu View of Life,” “Kalki or the Future of Civilization,” “An Idealist View of Life,” “The Religion We Need,” “India and China,” and “Gautama the Buddha.”
-Source: Indian Express
