Teachers' role in nation building is paramount, says PM Modi on Teachers' Day

Happy Teachers Day! India salutes the dedication & commitment of all teachers, whose role in nation building is paramount.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 5, 2016

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second president of India, saying he was a scholar, statesman and a respected teacher who shaped many minds and served India.

In his last address to the nation during his 'Mann ki Baat' programme, Prime Minister Modi said that for him, Teachers Day was an Education Day as well.

"In our life, a teacher holds the same place which a mother does. We have also seen such teachers who care more for their pupils than for themselves. They devote their lives for their disciples, their students," he said.

"We always feel the contribution of our teachers in our lives. 5 September happens to be the birthday of India's former president Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan ji and the country celebrates this as Teachers Day. Whatever post he held in his life, he always tried to live like a teacher, an educator."

"Not only this, he always said that "a good teacher can only be one who keeps the student within always alive". Dr. Radhakrishnan ji showed this by living as a teacher and by keeping alive the student within him despite holding the highest office of the president," he added.

Tributes to Dr. S Radhakrishnan, a scholar, statesman & a respected teacher who shaped many minds & served India. https://t.co/def2x8xwIR

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 5, 2016

Dr Radhakrishnan believed that 'teachers should be the best minds in the country.'

When he was president, he once said that instead of celebrating his birthday, it would be a privilege for him if his date of birth were to be celebrated as Teachers' Day.

Teachers' Day is celebrated on different days all across the world, and it also varies from the World Teacher's Day on 5 October. In India, 5 September has been celebrated as Teachers' Day since 1962.

--ANI