Latest news with #SRadhakrishnan
India Gazette
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
VP Dhankhar nominates ophthalmologist ML Raja for Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair
New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday nominated ophthalmologist Dr ML Raja for the Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair for one year, from May 7, 2025, to May 6, 2026, as per a release. The Chair was initiated after the first vice president, Dr S Radhakrishnan, who later became the president. It was initiated by the Rajya Sabha in the year 2009 with the objective of promoting research on different aspects of Parliamentary democracy in India. Announcing Raja's nomination at an event at Vice-President's Enclave , Dhankhar stated, 'Let me welcome in particular today, whose presence I have solicited, and that is Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair, Dr ML Raja.' The Chair was made functional during Dhankhar's tenure. 'This Chair was initiated after one of the distinguished sons of Bharat, the first vice president who became president, Dr S Radhakrishnan, a philosopher who was also known for his academic commitment as a teacher. The Chair was initiated for the first time in the year 2009. Technically, Dr. ML Raja is the third recipient. De facto second. The Chair was made functional during my tenure when Jawahar Kaul, a distinguished journalist from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, deeply committed to nationalism, got the honour to get the chair, and Dr. Raja from the deep south, the state of Tamil Nadu, was the second one to get it... 'About the Chair, let me tell you, in 1962, September 5 was declared as Teacher's Day. It happens to be the birthday of Dr S. Radhakrishnan; that underscores that you may have any position, President or Vice-President. You may be a philosopher. You may be a great author but social recognition has come by virtue of his being a teacher, Teacher's Day. Always bear that in mind. Respect your parents as much as you respect your teachers either way,' the VP added. Dr Raja brings exceptional multidisciplinary expertise as an ophthalmologist, epigraphist, archaeologist, and historian. Currently serving as Director of AVINASH (Academy on Vibrant National Arts and Scientific Heritage) and RICH (Research Institute of Chronology and History), he holds qualifications spanning medicine (M.B., B.S., D.O.), archaeology and epigraphy (D.I.A.E.), and history (M.A.). His scholarly contributions include 13 published books covering subjects from ancient Indian astronomy to historical chronology, including notable works like 'Aryabhatta's Date: an Analytical Study' and 'Astronomical Evidence of the Date of the Mahabharata War', the release stated. Dr Raja has received significant recognition, including recent awards from the Governor of Tamil Nadu, for his contributions to Tamil literary works and research on Kamba Ramayanam. His involvement with the IKS Division of AICTE, where he has served as mentor and expert evaluator, has been particularly noteworthy. His current research focuses on determining the accurate chronology of Indian history, including the dating of historical figures like Adi Shankara and Chandragupta Maurya and analysing astronomical texts. His expertise in Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, and English enables a comprehensive study of diverse historical sources. (ANI)
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Vice-President's Enclave: Dr M L Raja appointed as Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair
NEW DELHI: Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday nominated Dr M L Raja for the prestigious Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair for a one-year term, effective from 7 May 2025 to 6 May 2026. The Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair was instituted by the Rajya Sabha in 2009 with the aim of promoting scholarly research on various aspects of parliamentary democracy in India. In an official statement delivered during an event at the Vice-President's Enclave, Dhankhar announced Dr M L Raja's nomination and remarked, that the Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair was established to honour the legacy of "one of the distinguished sons of Bharat, the first Vice-President who became President, Dr S Radhakrishnan." Dr M L Raja, from Tamil Nadu, is the second individual to be conferred with the position of Chair. Jawahar Kaul, a prominent journalist from Jammu and Kashmir, earlier served as Chair. While Dr Raja is technically the third recipient of the position, he is second functioning Chair as the position was made operational during Dhankhar's tenure. Speaking about the significance of the chair, Dhankhar said, "In 1962, September 5 was declared as Teacher's Day. It happens to be the birthday of Dr S Radhakrishnan. This underscores that though you may have any position — President, Vice-President. philosopher or author — social recognition comes by virtue of being a teacher for Radhakrishnan."
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First Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
History Today: When India's Rajya Sabha held its first meeting
On May 13, 1952, the first Rajya Sabha meeting occurred in Delhi's old Council Chamber of Parliament House. Dr S Radhakrishnan was elected as the first Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. On this day in 1989, thousands of Chinese students launched a hunger strike in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during the pro-democracy protests read more The Council of States' first session began with a Presidential address to both the Upper and Lower Houses, a tradition that endures annually. Representational image One of the most important days in the history of India is May 13. It was on this day in 1952 that the newly constituted Council of States sat together for the first time. This 'Second Chamber' of the Parliament of India, was later named the Rajya Sabha in 1954. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 1989, thousands of Chinese students launched a hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, marking a critical escalation in the pro-democracy protests that had gripped China for weeks. Here are some of the events that took place across the world. First Rajya Sabha meeting It was on May 13, 1952 that the newly formed Council of States sat for the first time in the Parliament. It came to be known as the 'Second Chamber' of the Parliament of India which was later named Rajya Sabha. Following the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, the need for a bicameral legislature was formalised to ensure a more balanced and representative form of governance. The Rajya Sabha was envisioned as a body that would provide a forum for sober and considered debate, acting as a check on hasty legislation from the directly elected Lok Sabha. The inaugural session was held in the old Council Chamber of Parliament House in New Delhi. Dr S Radhakrishnan, who would later become India's second President, was elected as the first Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, in his capacity as Vice President of India. In his address, Dr Radhakrishnan emphasised the importance of high moral standards, reasoned debate and the role of the Rajya Sabha in representing the states and union territories fairly. The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament. Representational image At the time of its inauguration, the Rajya Sabha had 216 members, including 12 nominated by the President for their contributions to literature, science, art and social service. The remaining members were elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories. The Council of States' first session began with a Presidential address to both the Upper and Lower Houses, a tradition that endures annually and after every general election. However, in contrast to modern parliamentary sessions, this address was not followed by a Motion of Thanks, and a Question Hour session, now a regular occurrence, did not take place. The Upper House of the Parliament of India is presently structured with a capacity of 250 members. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thousands of Chinese students began a hunger strike on Tiananmen Square On this day in 1989, thousands of Chinese students launched a hunger strike in Beijing's Tiananmen Square marking a critical escalation in the pro-democracy protests that had gripped China for weeks. The movement, initially sparked by the death of reform-minded leader Hu Yaobang, had grown rapidly as a result of frustrations over corruption, lack of political freedoms and calls for government accountability. As a peaceful and symbolic act, a hunger strike was initiated by university students with the objective of compelling the Chinese leadership to engage in dialogue and respond to their demands, which centred on freedom of the press, greater transparency and democratic reforms. The students, identifiable by their white headbands and banners, proclaimed their dedication to nonviolence and patriotism, despite the growing physical risks they faced in the extreme heat of Beijing. Tiananmen Square is filled with thousands during a pro-democracy rally in Beijing, China on May 17, 1989. File image/AP By mid-May, the square was densely populated with tens of thousands of supporters, students and observers. The timing of the hunger strike was deliberately chosen to coincide with a scheduled state visit by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, marking the first such visit since the 1960s. Recognising the presence of international media covering the summit, the students hoped that global attention would serve to amplify their message and exert pressure on the Chinese government to issue a positive response. The hunger strike, while serving to galvanize public support for the demonstrators, concurrently established the conditions for the subsequent military suppression. The initial appeal for reform, spearheaded by students, would tragically culminate in the Tiananmen Square massacre in less than a month's time, specifically on June 4, 1989, when the Chinese People's Liberation Army violently suppressed the burgeoning pro-democracy movement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Day, That Year On this day in 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in St Peter's Square, Vatican Square. British politician Winston Churchill faced the House of Commons for the first time in 1940. The US declaration of war on Mexico was approved in 1846.
