Teachers' Day

In many countries, Teachers' Days (or Teachers Day) are intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honour them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community in general. The date on which Teachers' day is celebrated varies from country to country. Teachers' days are distinct from World Teachers' Day which is officially celebrated across the world on October 5.

The idea of celebrating Teachers' Day took ground in many countries during the 20th century; in most cases, they celebrate a local educator or an important milestone in education (for example, Argentina commemorates Domingo Faustino Sarmiento's death on September 11 since 1915, while India celebrates Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birthday on September 5 since 1962). This is the primary reason why countries celebrate this day on different dates, unlike many other International Days.

Special celebration conducted by educational institutes to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and to encourage the contribution of teachers to the society.

Since 1962, India has been celebrating Teachers' Day on 5th September as a symbol of tribute and honor to the contribution made by teachers to the society. Respected among society, teachers have played an important role in the overall development of a person. They are capable to influence and mold a student's life positively. Every student celebrates this day to encourage and support the contribution of his or her teacher. Children are the country's future, hence they need to be positively nurtured and that is done best by teachers as children get inspired by their teachers. Teachers enlighten students and shape their career.

The day marks as a day of gratitude and respect to the selfless efforts of teachers. This day is also celebrated to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the great teacher, academic philosopher and India's Second President as he was born on the same day in 1888. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a strong supporter of education. Instead of celebrating his birthday separately he requested to observe the day as Teachers' Day to give honor to all the teachers in India. This appeal demonstrated his love for the teaching profession and since then 5th September is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India.

On the occasion of Teacher's day, various cultural programs and activities take place in schools. Senior students dress up as teachers and take up their roles, giving out lectures and teaching the students of primary level. By doing so, the students get a hands-on experience and realize how it feels to be a teacher. In some schools feasts are arranged and in some reunions are organized between the old students and teachers. People call up their childhood teachers and let them know that they are still remembered, giving them immense happiness and appreciating them for all that they did for them.

Most students offer gifts like greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, pens, show pieces, books, etc. to their teachers on this special occasion. A gift reflects the love and respect for the teachers by their students. Each one of us has been a student at some point of our lives, therefore Teachers' Day should be celebrated by all of us and not just the teachers and students alone.