Key Highlights:

• Tribute to Educators: Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay paid rich tributes to teachers on Teachers' Day, emphasising their role extends far beyond classroom education.
• Beyond Academics: He said teaching involves cultivating discipline, humanity, fraternity and social responsibility among students, not just imparting knowledge.
• Honouring Radhakrishnan's Legacy: CM Vijay recalled former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's contribution to education while extending Teachers' Day greetings.
• A Societal Impact: He said teachers' influence extends beyond individual students to contribute to the progress of society and the nation as a whole.
• A Call for Appreciation: The Chief Minister urged people to recognise the invaluable work of teachers who remain committed despite professional challenges.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday paid rich tribute to teachers for their contribution to shaping generations of students and building a progressive society, saying their role extended far beyond classroom education.

In a message marking Teachers' Day, CM Vijay said teachers played a crucial role in nurturing young minds, instilling values, and preparing students to become responsible citizens capable of contributing to the country's development.

The story behind Teachers' Day itself: Teachers' Day is observed in India on September 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan — a philosopher, scholar, and India's second President. Before entering public life, Radhakrishnan taught philosophy at institutions including Madras Presidency College and Mysore University, and later became the first Indian to hold the Spalding Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of both Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University. The tradition of Teachers' Day traces back to 1962, the year he became President, when a group of his students and admirers asked to celebrate his birthday; Radhakrishnan reportedly asked them to instead observe the day in honour of all teachers — a request that has been followed nationally ever since.

Extending his greetings, CM Vijay recalled Radhakrishnan's contribution to education and wished teachers across the state. He said teachers worked selflessly to secure a prosperous future for students and deserved recognition for the enormous responsibility they carried in shaping the younger generation.

Highlighting the wider role of educators, CM Vijay said teaching was not merely about imparting academic knowledge — teachers enlightened young minds and helped cultivate discipline, humanity, fraternity, and a sense of social responsibility among students. They also encouraged children to pursue their dreams, identified and nurtured their talents, and provided guidance necessary for them to build successful lives, he said.

According to CM Vijay, the influence of teachers ultimately went beyond individual student development and contributed to the progress of society and the nation as a whole. Their efforts in preparing responsible, skilled, and socially conscious citizens were, he said, integral to building an inclusive and progressive society.

The Chief Minister called on people to appreciate the invaluable work carried out by teachers who remain committed to educating and guiding students despite the challenges associated with the profession. He said the dedication and guidance provided by teachers could determine the direction of a student's future and enable young people to realise their potential.

CM Vijay expressed hope that the selfless commitment of teachers and their continued guidance would make students' futures brighter and help them emerge as responsible members of society, and conveyed his heartfelt Teachers' Day greetings to educators across Tamil Nadu.