India dedicates Friday to teachers

The day is celebrated  as 'Teachers' day' in the honour of the birthdate of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan .

It is considered a "celebratory" day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the daily course of activities and classes are replaced by moments of celebration, thanksgiving and remembrance.

On this Teachers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address students across the nation live from 3 pm to 4:45 pm and it is mandatory for the students to be present in schools.

Modi also greeted the teachers across the country on Teachers` Day.

"Teachers` Day greetings! We salute all teachers, who tirelessly light the lamp of knowledge," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also paid his tributes to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on the occasion.

"Teacher, scholar and statesman, he remains an inspiration for the entire Nation," the Prime Minister said.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has greeted teachers throughout the country on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

In his message the President has said, “On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, I have great pleasure in extending my greetings and felicitations to teachers throughout the country."

"Teachers must be friends, philosophers and guiding lights to their students. They are like candles, who burn brightly to enlighten others. We, in India, are inheritors of a sacred tradition in which our gurus, saints and seers have selflessly nurtured our minds and shaped our intellect," Mukherjee said.

"Our society at large and in particular, students should show utmost respect and devotion to teachers. Teachers in turn must dedicate themselves to the service of their students and help our youth imbibe knowledge as well as essential civilizational values," he said.

"On this occasion, I extend my warm greetings to the entire teaching community of our country and thank them for their immense contribution to our nation," the President said.

Meanwhile, popular search engine Google posted a Teacher's Day doodle on its India home page depicting six different teachers.

The first 'G' of the 'Google' shows the principal sitting behind a desk while the first 'O' shows maths teacher writing a formula on the board.

A kindergarten teacher reading out a story to the kids represents the next 'O' while sports teacher  with a basketball marks the second 'O'.

The last two letters of 'Google'  represents the chemistry teacher in the lab and the music teacher trying to get everyone in tune.

Celebrities and politicians also took it to Twitter to wish netizens on the occasion.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan ‏wished all writing: "My respectful greetings to all  the teachers in the country on Teachers' Day today.My teachers gave me so much- feel indebted to each one ."

Popular cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle ‏tweeted: "Happy Teachers' Day. To a profession that gives more than it gets and keeps the world going."

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien ‏posted: "Teachers' Day will trend today on Twitter. So will Guru Utsav Divas. The joy that is India."

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar ‏tweeted: "Happy teachers day to all who helped in inspiring me & helped me in learning the art of living well and were a part of my growth!!"

Musician Shekhar Ravjiani ‏wrote: "Happy Teachers Day to the beautiful souls who have mentored so many minds and shaped so many lives."