Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan :- An Ideal Scholar
Apart from Swami Vivekananda being the eternal guiding light for me, if I had to idolize my life goal into a personality, as it were, if I had to humanize it, perhaps Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan would be the closest personality I can relate to. Like, how far did he went with his scholary - became a proffesor in Madras as well as in Calcutta, served as a vice-chancellor in Andhra University during 1931-1936 and in 1939-1940, holding simultaneously two university chairs in two continents - George V Chair of Philosophy at Calcutta and Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at Oxford University - besides working as a vice-chancellor in Benaras Hindu University!
On the eve of independence he was called to serve on the Constituent Assembly. From 1942-52, he was the ambassador of India in USSR. In 1952, he became the first Vice President of India. In 1957, he was re-elected to again become the Vice President. Finally, in 1962, he became the President of India, the second one, only after Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
In his life we see a perfect blend of erudite scholarship and mastery over philosophy, being able to utilize it fully in Politics. His take on Education is as follows - " Any intellectual progress would demand a spirit of free inquiry. All education is expected to be liberal. It should have the power to free a person from the shackles of Ignorance, prejudice and unfounded belief. A good life can be achieved by driving out the darkness from within. Education is the slow conquering of darkness, by light, of Ignorance by knowledge." Comparing it with Philosophy he says that Education is just a socio-philosophic enterprise. Thus, Education and Philosophy are extricably related in any society.
Dr. Radhakrishnan was a Modern Educationist, thus, we shall find his views very useful. These are some of the extracts I found of his :-
Spiritual Sickness - Cause of Dissatisfaction
Political freedom which we won at much cost and sacrifice is only an opportunity. It is not a fulfillment. If we are to develop a strong democracy - political, social and economic, it is necessary for us to work hard and work unitedly. The ideal imposes on us a sacred responsibility. Men are not made democratic by the mere foundation of ideals in the Constitution. They are not made good by mere exhortation. Great ideals of justice, equality, fraternity and freedom which we have inscribed in our Constitution must be woven into the social fabric... There is much evidence of low morale, dissatisfaction and discontent among people, all leading to serious slackness. We must overcome the spiritual sickness which seems to be enfeebling our community. If we do not change our minds, we cannot change anything.
Students are not trained to approach life's problems with the fortitude, self-control, and sense of balance which our new conditions demand. Without this disciplined enthusiasm for great causes, students become a danger to themselves and to Society as a whole.
Dr. Radhakrishnan was a pure gem of our country. His razor sharp intellect, innate wisdom coming from depths of experience and opinions on Indian Society as a whole are very important for us to know. It is because he was a Post-Independence intellect. Whatever he spoke or did was of the consequence which was perfect for the Post-Independence state of India.
Dr. Radhakrishnan was one of the first engineers of Free India. He was one of the first Post-Independence reformer of India, who believed in this land, holded the hand of this nation and with his immense contributions in countless fields, gave Mother India newer heights of prosperity.
Salute to you sir, may the modern youth aspire to be like you and achieve the dreams of Modern India that you once saw.
Thanks,
Daksh Parekh.
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