Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and His Noble Legacies

 

Dr. S.Radhakrishnan, noted thinker and philosopher of repute, is still deeply reminisced by entire Indians, Bangladeshis as well as citizens across the globe. Apart from being a philosopher of repute, he was an astute diplomat at per plus former President of India. Every year on September 5, the entire globe celebrates his birth anniversary as teachers’ day.

The moot point behind my article that why the day is celebrated as teachers day. Basically the reason behind celebrating his birthday as teachers’ day is. That Dr Radhakrishnan was an astute teacher in different universities of undivided India and later on post-independence phase. He was instrumental in developing many students in his teaching life. Later on they achieved wide ranging reputation in their teaching careers.

In concurrence to my subject matter, let me state why his noble legacies are still relevant to us. Dr Radhakrishnan in his diverse writings stated in bolt and blue about the efficacy of Hindu religion. He felt that basic tenets of this religion is that entire humanity around the globe should be heralded under one banner. According to his viewpoints there should not be any sort of vengeance between people of one religion vis-à-vis to that of people of other religion. God give us birth in this earth but it should not discriminated whether an individual belongs to Hindu, Muslims, Christianity or other religions of the globe. This noble thoughts of Dr S.Radhakrishnan should remain embedded in our mind and heart forever. He was also instrumental in spreading the gospel of Hindu religion to all nook and corners of the globe. In the prime phase of his life, Dr S.Radhakrishnan taught in various reputed universities of undivided India as well as in independent India plus rest of the globe.

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan apart from being a philosopher of repute. He was also well adept in other subjects like literature, history, economics and political science. His views of academic fields was that humanity should not be single track minded, rather it should be of dual minded temperament. He was very closer and cordial with Rabindranath Tagore, Bertrand Russell plus other luminaries in the field.

Whenever Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan used to visit Shantiniketan, he shared multifarious views with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on indigenous affairs as well as about global affairs. He was also instrumental in writing about History of Western Philosophy, History of Indian Philosophy, and History of Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore etc various others. He did extensive research work on variegated nature of human psychology.

About development of education, Dr S. Radhakrishnan had multiple noble thoughts. About development of education, Dr Radhakrishnan formed University Education Commission in the year 1948. The purpose of forming this academic body of Independent India was to provide novel and unique ideas about the development of Indian education system. This body later on transformed to University Grant Commission which came into existence in the year 1953 on December 28. It was in the year 1956 this body (UGC), became a statutory organisation of the government of India by an act of India Parliament. Now UGC is instrumental in undertaking proper coordination, determining and maintaining higher standard of teaching, examining and research work in various kinds of specialised education in academic bodies of India.

About education, Dr S.Radhakrishnan emphasised upon apolitical temperament in academic field. It is a pity for us, I mean about Indians and Bangladeshis, only petty percentage of the populations are aware of his works. His rich works should brought within the fold of modern generations of both nations.

Dr S.Radhakrishnan performed extensive research work on human psychology. He expressed profoundly about his thoughts on human psychology. As per his views, human life is quite complex. Simplicity and amiability has no say in human life. We have to gel from its closer perspectives. As per his viewpoints, we should always keep ourselves calm and sublime. In our life at any point of time, we might face various types of impediments. In this regard, our objective towards growth prospects should not be allowed to become retarded. Rather with grit and gumption it should be overcome at any cost. That is why whenever we become remorse and somnolent, then best way to overcome that phase is through ways of intensive reading in English and various other books on mother languages in India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe. His teaching pattern was so unique in nature and composition which is still deeply embedded in the mind of Indians along with rest of the globe. At present in different universities of Bangladesh diverse works of Dr Radhakrishnan are widely taught by the scholars in the field. If the reading habits are developed right from our kid stage then our mental faculties will remain hale and hearty till the last breath in this earth. When Bangladesh achieved Independence way back in the year 1971 on December 16. Along with formation of Dhaka University and other universities of the nation, noble works of Dr Radhakrishnan are widely taught. Prominent teachers in the department such as Dr Shairfuddin Ahmad, Dr Nurul Huda, Dr S.S. Joarder, Mohammad Nurul Haque, Dr Mohammad Matiur Rahman etc. From India, prominent teachers in the field are Dr Amiyo Majumdar, Dr S.Radhakrishnan, Rabindranath Tagore, Jiddu Krishnamurthy,and Homi. K. Bhaba, Keshub Chandra Sen etc.

As we evaluate modern societal setup herein lies the transformation of society in its broadest sense. Now we find there has been mass proliferation of new ideas and innovations. Though in some respect it is appreciable, whereas in some respect it is highly deplorable. Some sections of our societies try their level best to misuse the innovations of the modern era. That like the gospel of Swami Vivekananda, Dr Radhakrishnan always propagated for Karmayogi (inclination towards involvement in any kind of work), Jnanyogi (involvement towards acquiring any kind of knowledge) etc various others. To be more elaborate it is interpreted also that we should think about the positives of humanity throughout our life. We must aim forward to drive away all sins and evil forces so as to ensure positives of our societies. There is a tendency among some sections of societies to discriminate between persons who are of financially meek vis-à-vis financially stronger. Thus all of us should be treated upon on an equal plank. Equality among all always shower peace and calumny so that we should not have feeling of vices upon others. Noted monk and humanist Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha Dev always propagated equality among all citizens. Along with him, poet, philosopher, thinker and Noble Laureate in literature Rabindranath Tagore along with Prabhu that even a small ant should not be demeaned. According to both, ants are also equally important to us. In this regard, to be figuratively speaking, people of weaker sections of societies should not be treated in its pejorative frame of mind. Rather proper respect should be meted out to them.

Writing about Dr S.Radhakrishnan, is not an easy task on the part of this writer. There might be many readers of my article might not be aware of other achievements. That why his birth anniversary is celebrated every year on government circles on September 5, every year.

It is already known to us that during his tenure as second President of Independent India, (1962-1967), there were some prominent students of his who gathered at a solemn function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In that gathering his students spoke eloquently about his versatility. In reply Dr Radhakrishnan expressed deep embarrassment the way his birth anniversary used to be celebrated. Instead he advocated that the celebration should be celebrated privately. From then onwards the day is celebrated every year on September 5 as teachers’ day.

Dr S.Radhakrishnan in his prolific academic career taught at reputed academic institutes like Mysore University, Madras Presidency College, Calcutta University, Oxford University, Benaras Hindu University etc. Noted linguist like Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Dr Amiyo Kumar Majumdar, and Professor Tripura Shankar Sen Shashtri    had the pleasure of working with this savant. All of them expressed utmost satisfaction in working with him.

Apart from the above, it would be unwise on my part not to state about the books written by him. Thus the books written by Dr S.Radhakrishnan are stated as such, Indian Philosophy, Contemporary Indian Philosophy, A source book in Indian philosophy, The Philosophy of Hinduism, Search for truth, An idealist view of life, The World Treasury of Modern Religions, The Hindu View of Life, East and West-Some reflections etc.

Summation of my above discourse, one point becomes crystal clear in our mind that product of modern age should try their level best to pay respect to his diverse views of life. Otherwise our life will become will go fully astray. Dr Radhakrishnan being a diplomat cum prominent statesman of India along with his intellectual prowess. The last accolades about him should not be forgotten at all by us.  That should spread widely among modern generations of India and Bangladesh. This kind of personality is rarely noticeable in today’s scenario. One cannot ignore these viewpoints from the core of our heart and mind. He remained humble, honest and down to earth till the last breath in life.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.