Teachers Day Celebrations in India

Teachers’ Day is a national function celebrated in India. It is held on September 5th of every year which is also the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of our former President Dr. Radhakrishnan who was an ideal teacher. So it was decided to celebrate his birthday as Teacher’s Day to honor that noble profession.

The main idea is to draw the attention of the society towards this profession. No other profession either medical or legal have a day meant to celebrate and honor the best among them. It is an unique honour awarded to the teaching profession in our country.

On that day nearly a hundred teachers selected from primary, upper primary and secondary schools, oriental schools and colleges are invited by the President Of India and honored by giving a certificate of recognition along with some cash prize. The award given by the President is called the National Award for Teachers, which is a great honor to the humble teachers. Selection for these awards are made on the basis of many considerations. Teacher’s personal character and conduct, his professional competence, his sociability, the results he produced, the contribution he made to the profession as a writer and as a researcher in Education, the popularity he enjoys in public, his efforts to eradicate illiteracy, public support he got for building infrastructure to his institution etc. The part he plays in extracurricular activities is also taken into account. So it is not easy to get a national award. Only ideal and worthy teachers get it.

Besides National awards, State awards and awards by National Foundation for teachers are also given. In some districts, district level awards are given to encourage ideal teachers. Giving an award is a good incentive.

Of late the awards given by Government have become mechanical. The original idea of involving the society at large is to recognize this noble profession missing. Many functions are being arranged by teachers to honor their fellow teachers. The parents are not showing the expected interest.

It was true, that a teacher enjoyed a place of honor after the mother and father and was only next to them, in our ancient society. Many changes have taken place. A teacher is no longer a selfless Guru. He is a paid employee, just like any other worker in an office or factory. With this social concept, it is difficult to expect the society to honor the teachers. But even now there are teachers who are respected and loved for their selfless service, spotless character and unbiased love and affection they show to their students. All such teachers may not get awards. The social respect they command is itself an award. As Dr. S. Radhakrishnan had himself said, teaching is its own reward. The satisfaction it gives the teacher is not comparable. A good teacher is always remembered by the student wherever he is.