Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the teaching fraternity on the occasion of Teachers' Day 2021 and said that the efforts of the teachers in innovating and ensuring the education journey of students continues amid the pandemic is 'commendable'.
"On Teachers' Day, greetings to the entire teaching fraternity, which has always played a pivotal role in nurturing young minds. It is commendable how teachers have innovated and ensured the education journey of students continues in the COVID-19 times," PM Modi tweeted.
The Prime Minister also paid his tribute to Dr S Radhakrishnan on his Jayanti.
"I pay my respects to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on his Jayanti and recall his distinguished scholarship as well as contributions to our nation," PM Modi said in another tweet.
Teachers’ Day or Shikshak Divas is celebrated in India on September 5 every year to mark the birthday of Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and second President of the country.
When Dr Radhakrishan became the second President of India in 1962, his students once requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday. However, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a professor, philosopher and bureaucrat, asked them to observe the day as not his birthday but as Teachers’ Day, to recognise the contribution of teachers to the society.
Since then, September 5 is celebrated, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birthday, as Teachers' Day in India.