Teachers Day is a celebration that occurs every year in India. As you may have guessed, it is a celebration of teachers and all that they do for us.
The teacher’s day celebrations are meant to acknowledge, thank, appreciate, and honor the amazing work that the teachers do to the society. In addition to that, it encourages the teaching fraternity to continue to respond to the needs of the society.
When is Teachers’ Day Celebrated in India?
Teachers day falls on the same day every year, namely, September 5th. This day was chosen because it is the birthday of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan was India’s first ever Vice President, serving in this office between 1952 and 1962. Thereafter, he served as the country’s President between 1962 and 1967.
Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was known for his contribution to the education system in the country. He was a scholar and a philosopher as well as a politician and so his birthday is a very fitting day to celebrate education. However, this day is not a national holiday in the Indian calendar.
Origin and History
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, because of his reputation as a distinguished scholar, believed that teachers have the best minds in the nation. When some of his friends and students approached him with the idea of organizing a birthday party for him, he instead told them that he would be honored if that day is used to celebrate teachers in the country. Since 1962, the teacher’s day is celebrated on the same day as his birthday .ie., 5th of September.
Importance of teachers’ day
Teachers are incredibly important in society; in fact in many ways they are the linchpins of society. As such, it is great that we have a dedicated day to honor our teachers and to boost their morale, telling them how much we appreciate them.
Teachers do a lot of hard work to mold students to become important people in society. Without a teacher, no one would become a accountant, a doctor, a pilot, scientist, an engineer, a meteorologist among other professions. Teacher’s Day is important because it helps students and parents realize the crucial role of teachers in the society. Through this understanding, respect is cultivated, and thus effective learning achieved.
The day is also a time to remind people of the importance of education. It celebrates great scholars such as Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who have contributed immensely to that field.
It creates awareness about the significance of the teachers and the fact that they are an effective tool of social transformation. For example, teachers give counselling and advice on various issues such as career path, peer pressure, depression, and drug addiction.
Role of Teachers in our Life
Anyone who has gone through the education system, or taken part in any type of learning and training, understands just how important teachers are in our lives.
Teachers play many roles in our lives. Apart from impacting knowledge among students, they are also great mentors, counselors, and friends that help us grow and achieve progress in life.
Teachers help us to learn and understand various disciplines. Through this, we develop intellectual capabilities that make us useful people in the society.
Teachers play a role in our individual growth because they act as both our counselors and mentors. Through education, our minds are opened and we begin to view the world more critically compared to when we were young and without knowledge. Teachers are, therefore, responsible for much of the progress witnessed in the world today because they shape our perceptions.
Why is it celebrated?
Teachers’ day is celebrated because it is important to show our teachers how much we honor and respect them. This Day gives us an opportunity to do this, and it also motivates us to thank our teachers for all of their hard work.
It is celebrated because of several reasons, including:
- To honor teachers for their contribution in impacting knowledge among people in the society.
- To remind the country of the importance of teachers.
- To celebrate knowledge and its role in societal advancement.
- To appreciate the great scholars that have made tremendous contributions in academia.
Teachers’ Day also gives teachers an opportunity to relax and spend time with their families in the middle of a busy academic year.
How is Teacher’s Day Celebrated?
This day is celebrated by teachers themselves and by their students. Teachers’ Day events happen all across the country. Usually, normal lessons are canceled in schools and students may bring in food, cards or other treats for teachers. It is a very special day at school! Teachers’ Day in India is celebrated in many ways:
- The day is marked by paying homage to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the great teacher, scholar and philosopher.
- Cultural programs are held in educational institutes, such as schools, colleges, and universities. This is a way to please teachers and show how much value they have in the society. Some schools give awards to the outstanding teachers.
- Celebratory songs are often sung and games are played, too.
- Senior students dress up as teachers and assume the roles of the teachers, for instance, offering classes to elementary students. This is meant to make them feel how teachers feel while teaching.
- On other occasions, teachers take the position of students in classes, sit down and get taught by the students.
- Most students buy different gifts for their teachers. They buy pens, flowers, cakes, chocolates, books, and greeting cards. Some parents also gift teachers.
- Making calls to childhood teachers.
- In some schools, former students arrange a reunion with their teachers just to give them a thank you for the job well done.
- Other big events may occur in restaurants and cafes which offer promotions to people who wish to celebrate Teachers’ Day.
- Teachers and their families may also hold private celebrations in their homes – this could involve a special meal, for example, or it could just involve a teacher taking some time out to pamper themselves and relax.
Teachers feel appreciated and highly valued these celebrations are held or when these gifts are handed over to them as a token of respect. As the saying goes, once a teacher, always a teacher!
After the celebrations, teachers will usually go home after school and relax, or they will head out to celebrate with their friends and family – often in a restaurant or a cafe.
Conclusion
Teachers are great members of the society who play a critical role in the process of learning and human development. They shape the present and the future lives of their students. They should, therefore, be appreciated and celebrated.
Overall, celebrating the teachers in India is not only a noble thing to the schools but to the entire nation. We have all been helped by teachers at some point in our lives, and should support them every day of the year.
Note: Teachers’ day that we celebrate on 5th September every year is different from the Vedic festival Guru Purnima, which is celebrated according to Hindu calendar in honor of spiritual and academic teachers.
References
- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarvepalli_Radhakrishnan
- List of Teachers day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Teachers’_Days