Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's Background
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born in Tamil Nadu and raised in a middle-class family. He was appointed professor of philosophy at the University of Calcutta (CU) and held the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science. He served at CU for 12 years and also represented CU at the Congress of Universities of the British Empire. Radhakrishnan also attended the International Congress of Philosophy held at Harvard University.
Contributions to Philosophy
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a highly influential philosopher and intellectual. Born in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, he later studied philosophy and became an Ambassador to the Soviet Union. He later served as India's Vice President. He wrote extensively about Hinduism, calling it Vedanta. His work is characterized by lucid exposition. As a result, he was widely respected and has earned accolades as the symbol of Hinduism in the West.
Life and Achievements
In addition to being the second vice president of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was also a distinguished philosopher and scholar. His work in the area of education and philosophy earned him nominations for the Nobel Prize seventeen times, including eleven for peace. Today, we celebrate his birthday as Teachers' Day, which was established to recognize the importance of education in society.
Writings and Their Impact
In his writings, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan sought to make the Indianness understood to both Indians and foreigners. While his writings are important for understanding Indian culture, they are also valuable for studying the Hindu religion and its role in the modern world. In many ways, Radhakrishnan's writings were revolutionary for their time and helped pave the way for inter-religious understanding.
Political Career and Achievements
In addition to being an influential thinker, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a prominent politician and a statesman in India. Born in Telugu, he was the first Vice-President of India and later served as its second President. Born in a low-income Brahmin family, he excelled academically. After graduating from Voorhees College, he went on to become a professor at Oxford University and a Vice-Chancellor at the Delhi University. He also attended the Madras Christian College, where he received his Doctorate of Philosophy.
Early Life and Education in Tamil Nadu
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is a well-known and respected academic and politician in India. Born in 1888, he was educated in his native Tamil Nadu. His father, a subordinate revenue official, was in the service of a local zamindar. Though his family was not rich, he was able to achieve success in his academics. He attended the Hermansburg Evangelical Lutheran Mission School in Tirupati, where he earned numerous scholarships.