Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is regarded as a unique amalgamation of an eminent philosopher and a national political leader. His interpretation of Indian philosophy in English has made people in the West change their perception about India. Dr Radhakrishnan is one of the few eminent personalities who had had a truly Indian upbringing and education. And he was able to make a mark in the Indian political, administrative, educational and spiritual spheres.
Dr Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 at Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu. His father, Veeraswami, was an astrologer and teacher. Dr Radhakrishnan received his early education from his father. He joined Christian College of Madras for his higher education. The one advantage he had of studying in a convent was that he got the opportunity to ponder over the Hindu religion. This was because the Hindu religion was criticised by missionaries. And this filled him with the desire to understand the true essence of Hinduism.
The speeches of Swami Vivekananda inspired him a lot. And that is why he did his post-graduation in philosophy. Then he worked at Presidency College, Madras till 1917. During those times, Dr Visvesvaraya was the diwan of Mysore. So at the behest of Dr Visvesvaraya, he joined Mysore College as a professor of philosophy. In spite of the presence of stalwarts like Dr Radhakumud Mukherjee and Professor Wadia, Dr Radhakrishnan became a popular figure in the university.
Dr Radhakrishnan did not obtain a doctorate degree. It was because of his competence, writing skills and insight into philosophy that many universities awarded him doctorate degrees. Just as Dr Visvesvaraya was keen to make Mysore an ideal state, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee wanted to promote Calcutta as a centre of science and education. So he invited Dr Radhakrishnan to Calcutta.
It was during this time that Andhra University was founded and he was appointed the vice-chancellor. He also had to look into the administration and organisation of the University. Although he joined Andhra University, he did not sever ties with Calcutta University. He was also given the financial charge of Andhra University. When he was in Calcutta, he was also associated with Oxford University, England. So he spent six months of a year in Calcutta and the other half in England. During those days, Madan Mohan Malaviya established Benares Hindu University and wanted to appoint Dr Radhakrishnan as the vice-chancellor of the University. Dr Radhakrishnan agreed to join as vice-chancellor but refused to work on a salary. In this way, he worked in Calcutta, Benares and Oxford Universities simultaneously. But when the work of Benares University required more of his involvement, he bade farewell to Calcutta University.
In 1942, when the freedom struggle took a new turn, the students of Benares University joined it. The British Government wanted to close the University. Because the students were also in favour of this, it would not have been difficult for the British to do so. But Dr Radhakrishnan was not in favour. Many considered this act of his unpatriotic, but it was not so. The institution founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya was a nationalist one.
Dr Radhakrishnan spent 40 years of his life as an educationist. Apart from being a teacher, he was also a writer, administrator and politician. His contribution as a teacher and educationist was noticed in Oxford, Calcutta and Benares Hindu Universities. Later, he was appointed the ambassador to the Soviet Union. And he was good at his work. It is said that when Dr Radhakrishnan completed his tenure as the ambassador and was taking leave from the dictator, Josef Stalin remarked, “You are the first person who treated me as a human being and not as a ghost. I am saddened by the fact that you are leaving us. I may not live long, but I wish you a long life.” So saying, the mighty leader’s eyes welled up with tears.
The diplomatic handling of the relationship between the two countries by Dr Radhakrishnan helped build friendly ties in the formative years of India’s existence. What augmented the relationship was his humanitarian thought, simplicity and humanity.
When Dr Radhakrishnan returned to India in 1952, he was elected the vice-president. Between 1953 and 1962, he also served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Delhi.
On 11 May 1962, he succeeded Dr Rajendra Prasad as the President. The world welcomed his presidency. He always upheld the glory and honour of every post that he held. Be it as the Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University between 1936 and 1952 or as the chairman of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) between 1946 and 1952.
Dr Radhakrishnan was simple to the core. He always wore a dhoti, a bandgala coat and a turban. He tried to interpret Indian thought and philosophy for Westerners. His works include Indian Philosophy, The Philosophy of the Upanishads, The Hindu View of Life, Eastern Religion and Western Thought and East and West: Some Reflections.