On September 5, 2019, National teachers’ day was celebrated across the country. The aim of this day is to honour the efforts of teachers all over India. It is celebrated since 1962 to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was born on 5th September 1888.
About Radhakrishnan:
i. He hailed from Thiruthani, Tamil Nadu.
ii. Radhakrishnan was the first Vice-President (from 1952–1962) and the second President of independent India (from 1962 to 1967). He was a great scholar of the 20th century, philosopher and teacher of modern India and was conferred with the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) in the year 1954. He was the first recipient of Bharat Ratna along with politician C. Rajagopalachari, scientist C. V. Raman in recognition of his meritorious service to mankind.
iii. He was also awarded several awards such as knighthood in 1931, Templeton Prize in 1975, Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1961 and honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963.
iv. He was nominated 16 times for the Nobel prize in literature, and 11 times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
President Kovind felicitates winners of National Teachers’ Award 2018 on Teachers’ Day
On September 5, 2019, The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred National Award 2018 to 46 teachers from across the country in New Delhi for their distinguished services. The award comprises a silver medal, certificate, and Rs. 50,000/- as award money. It was the 61st edition of the award, instituted in 1958.
Key points:
i. The Independent national jury recommended the name of 46 teachers & online self-nomination process followed by 3 tier selection process at District, State, and National level was adopted. The basic criteria to be nominated for this award is the school teachers and heads of schools, who had shown innovation in their work and had added value to the school and to their students, working in recognized primary/ middle/ higher secondary schools in the country.
Other key events on this day:
1763: Mir Qasim fought the British at Udayana near Rajmahal and lost the battle.
1957: Wealth Tax Bill was formed.
1997: Mother Teresa passed away in Kolkata.