New Delhi, 17 April (H.S.): On the death anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President of India, distinguished scholar, and philosopher, Vice‑President C. P. Radhakrishnan, along with Union Ministers and Chief Ministers, paid rich tributes to his life and contributions, describing him as a guiding light for generations of students, educators, and policymakers.

Tributes from the Vice‑President and Union Ministers

Vice‑President C. P. Radhakrishnan said Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of knowledge and to shaping the minds of young people. He described the former President’s life as a living testament to the power of learning, humility, and service to the nation, and added that his enduring legacy continues to inspire Indians to uphold the values of wisdom, integrity, and compassion.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid homage to Dr. Radhakrishnan on his Punya Tithi, highlighting his towering role as a teacher, thinker, and statesman. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan observed that the former President’s luminous ideas would continue to motivate youth to build an educated, capable, and empowered India.

Senior Minister Giriraj Singh said that Dr. Radhakrishnan’s unwavering commitment to education and his profound philosophical insights would remain a perennial source of guidance for the country.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in his tribute, hailed him as a celebrated philosopher and political leader whose contributions to education and public life will continue to inspire generations.

State leaders hail a national icon

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recalled that Dr. Radhakrishnan’s life symbolised the finest traditions of Indian learning, culture, and philosophical thought. He said that the light of his ideas would continue to illuminate the paths of education, culture, and human values for years to come.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta offered homage to Dr. Radhakrishnan, describing his lifelong dedication to India’s intellectual heritage and the field of education as a constant source of inspiration for all citizens. She emphasised that the nation would forever remember his unique contribution to nation‑building and the expansion of intellectual consciousness with deep gratitude.

A monumental life and living legacy

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975) served as India’s first Vice‑President from 1952 to 1962 and as the second President of the Republic from 1962 to 1967. A towering philosopher and academic, he was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1954 and is widely credited with presenting Indian philosophy to the global stage while bridging Eastern and Western thought.

In recognition of his status as a revered teacher, September 5, his birth anniversary, is celebrated across India as Teachers’ Day. His leadership of the Radhakrishnan Committee on education reform further cemented his role in shaping India’s educational system, reinforcing his vision of holistic and value‑based learning.

Observing that April 17 marks the 51st anniversary of his passing, tributes from across the political spectrum underline how Dr. Radhakrishnan’s ideas on education, pluralism, and spiritual‑intellectual synthesis continue to resonate in contemporary India.

Leaders today repeated that his life and work remain a moral compass for the nation, especially in efforts to combine modern science with ethical and cultural depth.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar