10 Lesser-Known Facts About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
By Rajni Pandey | September 4, 2024
Dr. Radhakrishnan was the first Indian to hold a prestigious position at Oxford University as a professor of Eastern Religions.
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Oxford Professor
Dr. Radhakrishnan was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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Nominee for Nobel Prize
Dr. Radhakrishnan was knighted in 1931 by the British government, an honor he chose to decline after India's independence.
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Knighted by the British
Dr. Radhakrishnan suggested celebrating his birthday as Teachers' Day on September 5, shifting focus from him to educators across India.
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Coined Teachers' Day
Before becoming President, Dr. Radhakrishnan served as India’s first ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949-1952.
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Ambassador to the USSR
Dr. Radhakrishnan was fluent in Sanskrit and translated many Hindu scriptures into English.
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Fluent in Sanskrit
Dr. Radhakrishnan was a proponent of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy.
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Philosophy of Advaita Vedanta
Dr. Radhakrishnan strongly believed in the unity of world religions and promoted religious tolerance throughout his life.
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Religious Tolerance Advocate
Dr. Radhakrishnan received India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1954 for his contributions to education and philosophy.
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Bharat Ratna Awardee
Dr. Radhakrishnan had a massive personal library, where he read extensively on philosophy, religion, and world cultures.
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Personal Library