When is Teachers’ Day?
5th of October is marked as the World Teachers' Day. However, the date to celebrate Teachers’ Day or Teachers’ Appreciation Day, in general, varies from one country to another and is celebrated once in a year.
When does India celebrate this event?
Since the year 1962, the country of India has been celebrating Teachers’ Day on 5th September.
Why 5th September was chosen to be celebrated as a special day for teachers?
The date of 5th September is celebrated as the special day for teachers so as to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the great teacher, academic philosopher, Bharat Ratna winner and India’s 2nd President. Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on 5th September, 1888. Since he was a firm supporter of education, his birthday was chosen to pay a tribute to all the teachers in the country.
How did this festive event come into existence?
In the 20th century, the idea of this special day celebration initially became popular in several countries. However, it became more prominent after U. N. E. S. C. O. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) adopted the “Recommendation concerning the status of teachers” to recognize the value of teachers. Since then this event took the form of an annual festival across the globe.
In our nation, students started to celebrate the day since 1962 as per the suggestion of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. During his Presidentship, Dr. Radhakrishnan was approached by few of his friends and students to get permission for his birthday celebration. The great scholar, who himself was a teacher then suggested them that he will be more happy if Indian citizens observe 5th September as “Teachers’ Day in India” instead of carrying on individual celebration for his birthday. This is how, owing to Dr. Radhakrishnan’s love for education as well as the profession of teaching, this special day was started to be celebrated as India’s Teachers’ Day.
What is the motive behind celebrating this event?
All over the world, people mark a day as a special day for teachers to appreciate the huge contribution of teachers to the society at large. Teachers are the most important contributor to the overall development of a human being. They are one of the most respected groups in the society. They are capable of influencing a person positively and mold a student’s life for his or her betterment through their different teachings and lessons. Thus, every student celebrates this day so as to encourage the support and contribution of his or her teacher. One of the reasons behind celebrating a special day for teachers and with teachers is to praise the unique role of controlling a country’s future by controlling a child’s future. A child being a country’s future needs to be positively nurtured, which are best done by teachers as mostly children get inspired by his or her teacher. Apart from enlightening a student, a teacher shapes a student’s career. This is a day to show gratitude and reverence to the selfless efforts of the teachers.
In different countries, Teachers’ Day is celebrated to pay tribute to a local educator or someone, who created an educational milestone. In the country of India, this festive occasion is observed to commemorate the contribution of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan towards the education system in India.
How is this day celebrated in India?
Teachers’ Day is considered as a celebration day in India rather than a national holiday. On this special day, every teacher and student report to school but not to attain classes. They go to school to celebrate the day with each other through different cultural activities and thanks giving programs. In some schools even senior students are seen to play the role of a teacher. They pay a tribute to their respective teachers by teaching the students of primary classes. Besides dressing up like their favorite teachers, they deliver lectures of the assigned teachers while teaching. By doing so, a student gains a hands-on experience of the role of a teacher. They realize how it feels to be a teacher.
In many schools, students perform dramas, dances, recites poems or verses, sings songs and carry on varied other cultural activities. Because of this healthy interaction among the students and the teachers on this day, even teachers get nostalgic by remembering their school days. Some of the school even arranges for feast, which makes the day more memorable and special.
Since, every one of us have been student at some time of our life, it is a day to be celebrated by all and not just the present students and teachers. Each and every teacher as well as students look forward to this day every year. Some schools even organize for a reunion between the old teachers and students of that school. Some people even call up their childhood teachers to let them know that they are still being remembered. This gives immense happiness to the teachers since it shows the worthy contribution of a teacher in that person’s life.
Amidst the numerous fun-filled activities, a student expresses his or her respect for teachers and even teachers acknowledge their respect and love. Most students offer gifts to some of their most favorite teachers on this special occasion.
What kinds of gifts are given by a student on Teachers’ Day?
Those gifts include flowers, greeting cards, chocolates, pens, books, show pieces and many such items. Some students even give unique gifts by writing poems or special thank giving messages for their teachers. All these gifts, as a token of admiration and love, prove the importance of a teacher. Even teachers come to know how much they are liked by their students.
However, nowadays students come up with many modern and innovative ideas for Teachers’ Day celebration in India. Photo frames, coffee mugs, wooden pens, key rings and many more items with the teacher’s photo or name imprinted on that are some of the popular Teachers’ Day gift among the present students. Another mostly used gift of the contemporary age is e-greeting or animated cards. Students with a creative bend of mind like to go for creative items with touching and captivating quote or message. Others choose attractive gifts with general messages or quotes to convey their regards to their respected teachers. Some students even send SMS message to their teachers to greet them on that special day. Whatever the gift may be, each gift reflects the love and respect for teachers, who are one of the inspiring idols to the students.
Last Updated on 10/21/2011
Last Updated on 10/21/2011
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