These teachers have changed the social, political or cultural landscape of our country significantly.
In honour of Teacher’s Day, we put together a list of India’s most famous teachers. They didn't just go on to accomplish great achievements in their respective fields, but they knew the value of sharing their knowledge and passing it on.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Even though Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan came from humble beginnings, he went on to become India’s first Vice President and the second President. He also had an extensive career as a teacher, beginning at Madras Presidency College. He eventually became a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore and represented the University of Calcutta at the international congresses in the UK and US. Radhakrishnan also gave a lecture on Comparative Religion in Oxford.
After Radhakrishnan became the President was approached by friends and students about celebrating his birthday. Instead he wanted September 5 to be observed as Teacher’s Day.
Savitribai Phule
India's first female teacher Savitribai Phule, was also the woman to open the first girl school in the country. In 1948, when Phule and her husband started the school for girls in Pune, it had caused outrage. She received a lot of backlash and abuse for doing what she believed in. Despite it all, Phule managed to open five more schools for girls by the end of that year.
As a poet, Phule is considered to be one of the pioneers in Marathi poetry. Phule’s achievements didn’t stop there, she also dealt with issues like untouchability and widow remarriages.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Before becoming India’s 11th President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a scientist who studied physics and aerospace engineering. He spent four decades as a scientist, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
After leaving office, Kalam passed on his knowledge to students all across the country. He became a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Management at Shillong Ahmedabad, and Indore and an honorary fellow of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He taught information technology at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad and technology at Banaras Hindu University and Anna University and various other institutions.
Rabindranath Tagore
The Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan is Rabindranath Tagore's greatest legacy and gift to education. Tagore took teaching out of the confines of a classroom and formed a school he hoped would connect India and the world and become a centre for the study of humanity beyond the limits of geography. Teaching at this school was done under trees.
Tagore did not just guide his students academically but also emotionally and spiritually. He even invested his Nobel Prize money into the university, now one of the most reputable universities in the country.
Dr. Asima Chatterjee
Organic chemist Dr. Asima Chatterjee is best known for her development of cancer medicine vinca alkaloids, now used in cancer drugs, and for the development of anti-convulsives and anti malarial drugs from plants.
In 1944, she became the first woman to be named a Doctor of Science by an Indian university. She spent most of her life teaching chemistry at Calcutta University and inspiring generations of students to work in the field.
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Before he became the 14th Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh was a teacher. He taught in several establishments including Punjab University, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi and the Jawaharlal Nehru University. While addressing the Addressing National Award winning teachers on the eve of Teacher's Day in 2010, Singh revealed that his own time as a teacher “have been the most satisfying and fulfilling” in his life.
Ustad Alla Rakha Khan
One of India’s most renowned table player Ustad Alla Rakha Khan was also a celebrated teacher to many students. As a young boy Ustad ran away from home to learn the instrument and eventually became the first artist to play the tabla solo at the All India Radio. Ustad was able to bridge the gap between Hindustani and Carnatic musicians by playing with both styles. Khan passed down the art of the tabla to many students, but his most famous student was his son Ustad Zakir Husain.
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