On the birthday of former Indian President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the U.S. Embassy in India paid tribute to him by releasing rare photographs of his visit to the United States in 1963. The images, which show a warm welcome by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at the White House, highlight a significant moment in U.S.-India relations.

The embassy’s official social media account shared a heartfelt message quoting Dr. Radhakrishnan, “Books are the means by which we build bridges between cultures.” This quote perfectly sums up Dr. Radhakrishnan’s philosophy of learning and intercultural understanding. The post continued, “We remember former President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan on his birthday, celebrated as #TeachersDay with a picture from his visit to the USA in 1963.”

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Historic reception

The photos shared show Dr. Radhakrishnan arriving in Washington, DC, where he is warmly greeted by the Kennedy family. The images of the smiling Kennedys welcoming the Indian leader are a striking reminder of the respect and admiration that Dr. Radhakrishnan enjoys on the world stage.

The social media post quickly gained popularity with many users expressing their admiration for Dr. Radhakrishnan’s contributions to education and diplomacy.

Teachers’ Day: A tribute to education

Books are the means by which we build bridges between cultures.

Teachers’ Day, celebrated in India on September 5, was introduced to honour Dr Radhakrishnan’s contributions to education. During his presidency, he requested that his birthday be observed as a day dedicated to teachers and their role in shaping society.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, born in 1888, was a distinguished philosopher, academician and politician. As the second President and first Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962, he was known for his deep knowledge of philosophy and religion. His commitment to education and cultural exchange left a lasting impression and made him a revered figure worldwide. Dr. Radhakrishnan’s eloquence and intellectual prowess left an indelible mark and made him a celebrated figure both in India and internationally.