Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the second president and the first vice president of independent India. In India, Teacher's Day is celebrated on his birth anniversary, September 5.
Savitribai Phule was India's first female teacher. She revolutionised India's education system and opened a school with her husband in 1848. Savitribai Phule also worked for the educational rights of girls and untouchables in India.
Chanakya was the royal advisor to King Chandragupta Maurya. He was a great philosopher who wrote Nitishashtra (Chanakya Niti) and Arthashastra.
Born in 1861, Madan Mohan Malviya was an activist who founded the largest residential university in Asia, the Banaras Hindu University. He popularised the slogan Satyamev Jayate in India.
Rabindranath Tagore, born on 7 May 1861, was also known as Gurudev for his scholastic excellence. At Shantiniketan, West Bengal, he emphasised teaching physical activities with academics.
Swami Vivekananda, the founder of Ramakrishna Mission, advocated the Gurukul system of education in India, where students study and live with their teachers.
APJ Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, has inspired many children to pursue their dreams. Also known as the Missile Man of India, he was a scholar and a great teacher.