In India, Teachers Day on 5 September is celebrated in memory of which great educationist and statesman?

Introduction / Context:
Teachers Day is an important observance in India that honours the contribution of teachers to society. It is celebrated each year on 5 September and is associated with the birthday of a distinguished scholar, teacher, and former President of India. This question checks whether you know in whose memory and honour this day is observed, a fact that frequently appears in school level general knowledge and various competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The occasion is Teachers Day in India, celebrated on 5 September.
• The question asks which eminent personality is associated with this date.
• Options list several notable Indian leaders and statesmen.
• We assume basic awareness of national days and their significance.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that 5 September is the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher, teacher, and the second President of India. When he became President, he suggested that instead of celebrating his birthday separately, it should be observed as a day to honour teachers. As a result, Teachers Day in India is celebrated in his honour. The approach is to recall this well known association and eliminate other leaders whose birthdays are linked to different national observances.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the date mentioned, 5 September, and link it to Teachers Day celebrations in India. Step 2: Recall that this date is the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Step 3: Remember that Dr Radhakrishnan was a respected teacher, philosopher, and later the President of India. Step 4: Check option A, which names Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and see that it matches this association. Step 5: Consider other options: Dr Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India, Jawaharlal Nehru first Prime Minister, and Vallabhbhai Patel a key freedom fighter and leader, none of whose birthdays are marked as Teachers Day. Step 6: Conclude that option A is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling that schools and colleges often refer to Teachers Day as the birthday of Dr Radhakrishnan and share his speeches or quotes on the importance of education. Many textbooks explicitly state that when he became President, he was requested to allow celebration of his birthday, and he instead proposed that the day be dedicated to teachers. This story is widely repeated in educational contexts, confirming the link between Teachers Day and Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sir Vallabhbhai Patel: His birthday on 31 October is observed as National Unity Day in India, not Teachers Day.
Dr Rajendra Prasad: He was the first President of India, but his birthday does not serve as Teachers Day.
Jawaharlal Nehru: His birthday on 14 November is celebrated as Children Day in India, focusing on children rather than teachers.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse different national observances and their associated leaders, such as mixing up Children Day and Teachers Day or confusing dates. Another pitfall is selecting a familiar name like Jawaharlal Nehru without carefully considering the context. To avoid such errors, it helps to remember simple pairs: Teachers Day and Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Children Day and Jawaharlal Nehru, National Unity Day and Vallabhbhai Patel. These associations make it easier to answer questions about national days correctly.

Final Answer:
Teachers Day on 5 September in India is celebrated in memory of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.