Several Union Ministers on Saturday, 5 September 2024 extended greetings on Teachers' Day, paying tribute to educators across India for their role in shaping young minds and advancing nation-building. The occasion also marked the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India's second President and philosopher-statesman, whose legacy continues to define the spirit of the day.

Education Minister Highlights National Award Winners

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi posted his greetings on social media platform X, offering special recognition to the 82 teachers selected for the National Teachers' Awards this year. “Teachers do more than imparting knowledge; they shape the future,” Joshi wrote, adding that the awardees “are inspiring countless students across the country to dream bigger and reach greater heights.” He also expressed gratitude to all teachers who “go beyond imparting knowledge to empower the next generation and strengthen the foundation of a Viksit Bharat.”

Home and Defence Ministers Pay Tribute to Dr. Radhakrishnan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged the day's dual significance, extending wishes to teachers while bowing to “the philosopher and statesman Bharat Ratna Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Ji on his Jayanti, whose enduring legacy serves as an eternal flame of inspiration for us to build a knowledge-rich India.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described teachers as holding “a position of immense respect in our society,” noting that they have “traditionally been revered as akin to God in our culture.” Singh said teachers “shape the minds and intellect of students, nurturing them with knowledge, values, and wisdom, and inspiring them to become responsible citizens.”

Petroleum Minister Underscores Teachers' Lasting Influence

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri described educators as “mentors and guides who inspire and empower generations,” arguing that teachers “leave lasting imprints on young minds and influence lives far beyond the confines of classrooms and institutions.” Puri also paid tribute to Dr. Radhakrishnan, calling him “an eminent philosopher, academician, statesman, and India's second President.”

The Significance of Teachers' Day in India

Teachers' Day has been observed on 5 September every year since 1962, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who served as India's President from 1962 to 1967. The National Teachers' Awards, conferred annually by the Ministry of Education, recognise outstanding contributions by school teachers from across the country. This year, 82 teachers received the honour — a cohort drawn from diverse states and teaching disciplines. The collective ministerial outreach on Saturday reflects the government's continued emphasis on education as a pillar of the broader Viksit Bharat development agenda.