गुरु गोबिंद दोऊ खड़े, का के लागूं पाय. बलिहारी गुरु आपणे, गोबिंद दियो मिलाय.
We all know teaching is the most honored profession in the world. India has been known for its ancient culture of Guru-Shishya relationships. We Indians admire our Guru more than God and parents because we have grown up with this thought of Kabir “गुरु गोबिंद दोऊ खड़े, का के लागूं पाय. बलिहारी गुरु आपणे, गोबिंद दियो मिलाय.” (In this Doha Kabir asks when both Guru and the God are standing in front of you, who should you bow down to first? To which he answers you should be grateful to your Guru who showed you the path to reach God.)
Why We Celebrate Teachers Day on 5th September?
5th September marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepali Radhakrishnan, renowned philosopher, scholar, politician and a remarkable teacher who had a zeal to impart best education possible to the youth to make them better human beings and responsible citizens.
One can grasp the impact that his teaching left on the young students through the kind of farewell he received while leaving Mysore University: his students decorated the carriage-deck with flowers and pulled it themselves to drop their beloved teacher to the railway station.
Our first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru had even commented that: “He has served his country in many capacities. But above all, he is a great teacher from whom all of us have learnt much and will continue to learn.”
He was even knighted for his extraordinary services in field of education by George V, Former King of the United Kingdom in 1931.
No wonder, Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday came to be celebrated as teacher’s day. But did you know that this humble suggestion came from him only?
Well, let me narrate the incident. Once, when Dr. Radhakrishnan was serving as the President of our country, a group of students and friends asked for his permission to celebrate his birthday. But, he replied: ‘Instead of celebrating my birthday, I will be gratified if the day is observed as Teacher’s Day.’ This is because he wanted to pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of the selfless architects of the nation who groom the young generation to walk the path of development.