Dr Rajendra Prasad's successor was the erudite Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The philosopher President was born in the town of Tirutani -- then in Madras Presidency, now in Tamil Nadu -- on September 5, 1888.

According to some accounts his father did not want his son to learn English and wanted him to become a priest. But his talent was so evident that he was sent to school and later joined the Madras Christian College and studied philosophy.

He taught philosophy at Mysore University from 1918 to 1921 and Calcutta University from 1921 to 1931 and again from 1937 to 1941. He served as vice-chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 and 1936. Oxford enlisted him as professor of Eastern religions and ethics and he taught at the famed university from 1936 to 1952. He found time to serve as vice-chancellor of the Banares Hindu University from 1939 to 1948).

In 1952, Dr Radhakrishnan was chosen as the first vice-president of the Republic. Ten years later, he was made head of State, but served only a single term, to his great disappointment. His appointment as President was hailed by his brother philosopher Bertrand Russell who said, 'It is an honour to philosophy that Dr Radhakrishnan should be President of India and I, as a philosopher, take special pleasure in this. Plato aspired for philosophers to become kings and it is a tribute to India that she should make a philosopher her President.'

February 14, 1966. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, accompanied by Vice-President Dr Zakir Hussain, Lok Sabha Speaker Sardar Hukam Singh and S L Shakdher, then the secretary-general, Lok Sabha, among others.

Also see: 'At home' with the President