Teachers do more than just teach. They inspire, guide, encourage, and often leave a mark that lasts a lifetime. From teaching us how to write our first letter to helping us face our biggest exams, they shape who we become.

In India, we dedicate one day every year to celebrate our teachers—to thank them, remember them, and honour everything they do.

But when is Teachers Day, and why do we celebrate it?

Let’s explore the history, the meaning, and how people across India make this day special.

When Is Teachers Day Celebrated in India?

In India, Teachers Day is celebrated every year on September 5.

It’s not a holiday in the traditional sense, but it’s a day when students, schools, and institutions across the country pause to celebrate the people who make learning possible.

Why September 5?

So why was this particular date chosen?

Because September 5 is the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of India’s most respected scholars and former Presidents. But before all that, he was a teacher.

When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the second President of India in 1962, some of his students approached him. They wanted to celebrate his birthday. But he humbly replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ Day.”

Since then, the date has been dedicated to all teachers in India.

Who Was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

Born in 1888, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a brilliant philosopher, educator, and author. He was also India’s first Vice President and later, the second President of the country.

But more than his political achievements, he was loved for his commitment to education. He taught at several institutions including Oxford University. His students admired him for his knowledge, simplicity, and deep respect for teaching.

Teachers Day is celebrated on his birthday to honour his love for education and the value he placed on the role of teachers in society.

What Happens on Teachers Day in India?

Teachers Day isn’t just another day on the calendar. In schools, it’s one of the most joyful events.

Here’s what you’ll usually see:

• Students dressing up as teachers and running mock classes
• Cultural programs including songs, skits, dances, and speeches
• Thank-you cards and gifts given by students to their teachers
• Schools decorating classrooms with posters, flowers, and colourful balloons
• Alumni sending messages or even coming back to visit their favourite teachers

It’s a day filled with gratitude and celebration. Not just for students—but for teachers too.

Why Is Teacher’s Day So Important?

There’s a reason this day is celebrated with such warmth.

Teachers do so much—often without expecting anything in return. They wake up early, work long hours, guide students academically, and support them emotionally.

They’re part educator, part mentor, part cheerleader.

In India especially, the bond between a teacher and student is deep. Teachers are often seen as second parents or life coaches. That’s why celebrating them isn’t just a tradition. It’s a way of showing real appreciation.

Simple Ways to Thank a Teacher

You don’t need something grand or expensive to say thank you. Here are a few thoughtful ways to make a teacher feel appreciated:

• Write a short note or letter
• Send a greeting card with a personal message
• Gift them a personalised mug with a quote they always say
• Give them a small plant for their desk
• Wrap a few chocolates with a ribbon and a kind note
• Organise a group video call if you’re no longer in the same city
• Put together a memory box with photos, letters, or classroom moments
• Hand them a bouquet or a flower arrangement with a smile

What matters most is the thought behind it. Even a few kind words can stay with a teacher forever.

Teachers Day in Colleges and Universities

While primary and high schools often celebrate with more activities, colleges and universities also mark this day.

Students might host informal events. Professors may get emails or messages from past students. Some institutions organise seminars or guest lectures to honour teaching excellence.

In higher education, where interactions are more academic, a thoughtful message, a personalised gift, or a visit can go a long way in making a professor’s day.

How Teachers Day Is Celebrated Around the World

While September 5 is special in India, Teachers Day is celebrated in many countries—on different dates.

• In the United States, it’s the first Tuesday of May.
• In China, it’s on September 10.
• In Brazil, it’s October 15.
• World Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally on October 5.

Every country has its own story behind it. But the purpose is always the same: to appreciate the hard work of educators everywhere.

Teachers Beyond Classrooms

When we say “teacher,” we often think of someone standing in a classroom with a chalkboard. But learning doesn’t always happen in school.

Some of our most powerful lessons come from people outside school walls.

• A coach who taught you discipline
• A grandparent who showed you how to stay calm
• A boss who gave you honest feedback
• A neighbour who helped you understand kindness

Teachers Day is also a great time to thank these “unofficial” teachers in your life. Send them a message. Maybe drop by with a small cake, a soft toy, or a personalised chocolate box. It’ll mean more than you think.

Gifts That Feel Personal (But Aren’t Too Expensive)

If you’re planning to give something this Teachers Day, here are ideas that are affordable but thoughtful:

• A flower box with a note
• A handwritten message in a nice greeting card
• A cushion with a quote about teaching
• A mini hampers set with chocolates and a small perfume
• A framed classroom memory
• A plant with a tag that says “Thank you for helping me grow”

Teachers aren’t looking for luxury. They remember kindness more than cost.

For Students Who’ve Moved On

If you’re no longer in school or college, don’t let that stop you. In fact, receiving appreciation years later is often more meaningful.

• Send a message
• Make a call
• Write an email
• Share a photo from the past
• Or send a slice of cake and a short letter

You may not realise it, but teachers remember their students long after they leave. Hearing from you—even briefly—can brighten their entire week.

Teachers Who Shape Us for Life

There’s always that one teacher you carry with you.

Not just in memories—but in the way you think, the way you speak, the way you face things. Maybe they stayed behind after class, patiently helping you understand something you just couldn’t get. Or maybe they once said, “You’ve got it in you,” and for the first time—you believed them.

At the time, it felt small. Just another moment in a regular school day. But later? That moment stayed. Their voice, their smile, even their scribbled notes on the board—you remember it all.

Because some teachers don’t just teach subjects. They teach you how to believe in yourself. They notice the quiet ones. They cheer for the late bloomers. They hold space for mistakes. And somehow, without making a big deal of it, they make you feel like you matter.

Years later, you might still hear their words in your head when you’re stuck or scared or trying something new. That’s the magic of teaching. It lasts far beyond exams or classrooms.

So this Teachers Day, think of the one who made a difference. If you can, reach out. A message. A small plant with a thank-you tag. Maybe a cake, a bouquet, or a few chocolates if you’re visiting. You don’t need a reason more than this: they helped shape your story.

And sometimes, all a teacher really wants to know—is that they were remembered.

A Small Thank You Can Mean Everything

You don’t have to say something perfect. You don’t need a big gift either. Just the fact that you remembered—it matters more than you think.

A short message. A quiet “thank you.” A handwritten greeting card or a little bouquet handed over with a smile. These simple things often leave the biggest impact.

Most teachers don’t expect recognition. They teach because they care. They show up, day after day, giving their time and energy—sometimes without ever hearing how much it helped.

But when someone reaches out, even years later, it stays with them.

So this Teachers Day, don’t overthink it. Just reach out. Say something. Because even the smallest gesture can tell a teacher, “You made a difference.” And that’s something they’ll never forget.

Just So You Don’t Forget – When Is Teachers Day?

Still wondering when is Teachers Day? It’s the same every year—5th September. Go ahead and mark it now.

That’s the day we pause, look back, and thank the people who helped us learn—not just in school, but in life.

Because Teachers Day isn’t only about classrooms or textbooks. It’s about everyone who taught you something that stuck. The ones who helped you think a little deeper, write a little better, or simply believe you could.

So yes, it’s a date. But it’s also a chance—to remember and to say thanks.

Final Thoughts

Teachers Day isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s something you feel.

It’s that quiet moment when you remember the person who believed in you—even when you didn’t. The one who stayed after class. Who smiled through your mistakes. Who never gave up on you, no matter how lost you felt.

Some of those teachers are still a call away. Others live only in our stories, our habits, our hearts.

So this 5th September, pause for a minute. It doesn’t have to be grand. A message, a quick visit, a greeting card, or even a simple “thank you” can go a long way.

Because if you look at any confident adult today—you’ll usually find a teacher’s voice somewhere in the background, quietly cheering them on.