Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a renowned Indian philosopher and statesman who served as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. He was born on September 5, 1888, in a small village called Tirutani in the Madras Presidency, British India. His father, Sarvepalli Veeraswami, was a revenue official while his mother, Sitamma, was a housewife.
Radhakrishnan received his early education at the Lutheran Mission School in Tirutani and later studied at the Christian College in Madras. He excelled in his studies and won several scholarships, which enabled him to pursue higher education at the University of Madras and then at Oxford University in England.
After completing his studies, Radhakrishnan returned to India and joined the University of Mysore as a professor of philosophy. He later served as the Vice Chancellor of Andhra University and the University of Delhi, and was also appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University.
Radhakrishnan was a deeply philosophical person and was deeply influenced by the works of ancient Indian philosophers like Sankara and Ramanuja. He wrote extensively on Indian philosophy and was considered one of the foremost scholars on the subject. His most famous work, "The Philosophy of the Upanishads," is a comprehensive study of the Upanishads, which are a collection of ancient Indian scriptures that form the basis of Hinduism.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Radhakrishnan was also actively involved in India's freedom struggle. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution and served as the Ambassador to the Soviet Union and the United States. He was also a member of the Indian Parliament and held several cabinet positions, including the Ministry of Education.
Radhakrishnan was a widely respected figure in India and around the world and was honoured with several awards and accolades. In 1954, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, and in 1961, he was elected as the second President of India. He is remembered for his contributions to education and philosophy and is still considered one of India's most influential philosophers.
In conclusion, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a highly accomplished and influential figure in Indian history. He made significant contributions to the fields of philosophy and education and played a crucial role in India's independence and post-independence development. His legacy continues to be remembered and celebrated in India and around the world.
