Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

 Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a renowned philosopher, scholar, and statesman who made significant contributions to the fields of education, philosophy, and politics. He was a visionary thinker who believed in the power of education to transform society and the role of philosophy in understanding the world. He was also a statesman who served as the President of India and was respected for his wisdom and leadership.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in a small village called Thiruttani in Tamil Nadu, India. He was the second of five children born to a poor Brahmin family. His father, Sarvepalli Veeraswami, was a subordinate revenue official in the service of a local zamindar (landlord), and his mother, Sitamma, was a housewife.

Despite the family's financial difficulties, Radhakrishnan's parents were determined to provide him with a good education. He attended the local primary school in Thiruttani and then moved to Tirupati for his high school education. He excelled in his studies and was awarded a scholarship to study at the Madras Christian College.

Radhakrishnan's years at the Madras Christian College were a turning point in his life. He was exposed to Western philosophy and literature for the first time and became fascinated by it. He also became involved in the Indian independence movement and was deeply influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1909, Radhakrishnan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Madras Christian College. He then went on to study philosophy at the University of Madras and was awarded a Master of Arts degree in 1912. He continued his studies at the University of Calcutta and was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in 1918 for his thesis on "The Ethics of the Vedanta and its Metaphysical Presuppositions."

Career

After completing his education, Radhakrishnan began his career as a professor of philosophy at the University of Mysore in 1918. He then moved on to teach at the University of Calcutta and the University of Oxford. In 1929, he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, a position he held until 1932.

During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, Radhakrishnan introduced a number of reforms that improved the quality of education and research at the university. He also advocated for the inclusion of Indian philosophy and culture in the curriculum, which had been dominated by Western ideas.

In 1931, Radhakrishnan was invited to deliver a series of lectures on Indian philosophy at the University of Oxford. These lectures were later published as a book titled "Indian Philosophy" and became a seminal work in the field. The book introduced Indian philosophy to a Western audience and helped to establish Radhakrishnan as a leading scholar in the field.

In 1936, Radhakrishnan was appointed the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford. He held this position until 1952 and used it to promote the study of Indian philosophy and culture in the West. He also served as the President of the Indian Philosophical Congress and the Vice-President of the Indian Academy of Sciences during this time

Political Life

Radhakrishnan's political career began in 1952 when he was elected as the Vice-President of India. He served in this role until 1962 and used it to promote education and cultural diplomacy. In 1962, he was elected as the President of India and served in this role until 1967.

As President, Radhakrishnan was respected for his wisdom and leadership. He used his position to promote education, culture, and national unity. He also played an important role in India's foreign policy, making visits to a number of countries and representing India at international conferences.

Philosophy

Radhakrishnan was a philosopher of great stature who made significant contributions to the fields of Indian philosophy and comparative religion. He believed that philosophy should be grounded in human experience and should have practical implications for human life.

Radhakrishnan was influenced by the teachings of Vedanta, which emphasized the unity of all things and the ultimate reality of the self. He also drew inspiration from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and believed in the power of non-violence and love to transform society.

Radhakrishnan's philosophy emphasized the importance of education in developing human potential and promoting social change. He believed that education should be holistic, focusing on the development of the body, mind, and spirit. He also believed in the importance of culture and cultural diplomacy in promoting peace and understanding between nations.

Legacy

Radhakrishnan's legacy is significant and enduring. He was a scholar, philosopher, and statesman who made important contributions to the fields of education, philosophy, and politics. He helped to introduce Indian philosophy to a Western audience and promoted the study of Indian culture and religion in the West.

Radhakrishnan also played an important role in shaping India's national identity and foreign policy. He believed in the importance of national unity and cultural diplomacy and used his position as President of India to promote these values.

Radhakrishnan's influence can be seen in the work of many scholars and thinkers who have followed in his footsteps. His emphasis on the unity of all things and the ultimate reality of the self continues to be an important theme in Indian philosophy and religion.

Conclusion

Radhakrishnan passed away on April 17, 1975, at the age of 86. His death was widely mourned in India and around the world, and he was remembered as a great philosopher, scholar, and statesman. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a visionary thinker who believed in the power of education, philosophy, and culture to transform society. He was a scholar, philosopher, and statesman who made significant contributions to the fields of education, philosophy, and politics.

Radhakrishnan's legacy continues to be felt in India and around the world, and his ideas and values continue to inspire scholars and thinkers today. He will always be remembered as a great Indian philosopher, scholar, and statesman who worked tirelessly to promote the values of education, culture, and national unity.

Picture By White House - http://www.jfklibrary.org/Search.aspx?nav=Rpp:25,Nrc:id-9-dynrank-disabled%7Cid-5,N:16-4294957667-24&id=9, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38114487