This write-up is contributed by Mr. Sugato Roy.

Dr Radhakrishnan was a true icon and his reputation soared as the vice chancellor of Andhra University and Benaras Hindu University. He was also a pioneering professor of philosophy at Oxford University and our very own Calcutta University. Dr Radhakrishnan also served as a successful diplomat during the Cold War era as the second Indian envoy to the Soviet Union handling all vital issues with deftness.

We delve into certain fascinating anecdotes in the life of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan which are incredible and fascinating.

• Dr Radhakrishnan’s father wanted his son to become a priest at a nearby temple after he completed his schooling. But Dr Radhakrishnan was of a different material altogether. He pursued his studies and achieved first-class honours in his BA graduation. He won a scholarship from the Madras Christian College for his excellent marks. Dr Radhakrishnan was at first interested to study physical sciences but chose philosophy instead as he received free textbooks on this subject from one of his cousins who had graduated in philosophy.

The rest is history.

• In 1921, the students of Dr Radhakrishnan at Maharaja College Mysore planned to accord him a memorable farewell. After the farewell ended Dr Radhakrsihnan boarded a hand-drawn cart at the request of his students. The students pulled the hand-drawn wagon to the Mysore Railway Station all the way to give their beloved professor a spectacular farewell.

• Very few people would know, but the Swedish Nobel Prize Selection Committee nominated Dr Radhakrishnan for the Nobel Prize in literature five times in a row.

• Dr Radhakrishnan as an educationist was very particular to inculcate moral values, secular mindset, personality and moral development in the students. He also emphasised developing a scientific attitude and stressed vocational training.

• Bertrand Russell, one of the greatest philosophers of all time was delighted when Dr Radhakrishnan assumed the Office of The President in 1962. Dr Radhakrishnan was himself a great philosopher and that was what made Russell elated.

• India fought two wars during Dr Radhakrishnan’s tenure as the President and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The 1962 war was with China and the 1965 war was with neighbouring Pakistan. As the President, he took only Rs 2500 as salary and donated the balance of Rs 7500 to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

• Everyone adored Dr Radhakrishnan’s impeccable sense of wit and humour. Once when His Majesty the Monarch of Greece visited India on a state visit, Dr Radhakrishnan welcomed His Majesty and said that he should come to India more often. And then later in the same breath, he quipped —- Alexander the Great came to India uninvited.

• Dr Radhakrishnan was an ardent and staunch follower of Rabindranath Tagore. In 1920 he became a professor of philosophy at Calcutta University. Dr Radhakrishnan had all the time in the world during that period to interact with Rabindranath Tagore during his stay in Kolkata. He dedicated his first book to Tagore. Such was his deep respect and admiration for the Bard Of Bengal.

• The tenure of Dr Radhakrishnan as the Indian Ambassador to the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War era was significant. He played an astute and balanced role in handling the top Soviet leadership of that period so that the worldwide tension around that time could subside for the betterment of the world in general.

Today, even several decades after his passing away, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s legacy continues to play a stellar role in influencing the teaching community to contribute to the education system of our country for the betterment of our future generations.

GRADUATE FROM ST XAVIER’S COLLEGE AND POST GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA, SPECIALIZING IN MARKETING MANAGEMENT AND ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF 24 YEARS IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLISHING INDUSTRY. HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY MANAGEMENT.