The Biography of Famous Personalities of India will tell you about the controversies, the dark sides of a person that you may have never heard of.
Radhakrishnan’s Growing Popularity And International At Oxford
Radhakrishnan’s Growing Popularity And International
After returning to Calcutta, Radhakrishnan was in very much demand. He got himself involved in extensive activities. He began to organize meetings of the Philosophical Society and along with this, he supervised research and went along with lecturing for eight hours a week. He encouraged the postgraduate teachers and students from various colleges to get together for discussions.
In 1927, due to his growing popularity, he was elected President of All Bengal College and University Teacher’s Association. In 1928, the University of Andhra Pradesh honoured him with the title of D.Litt. at its second convocation. Thus, he was being recognized by his native University as one of the most distinguished sons of the soil.
Meanwhile, he continued with his writing and completed his two small works— The “Religion We Need” and “Kalki or the Future of Civilization.” In 1929, Radhakrishnan worked for the publication of a cultural monthly entitled “The New Era” published from Madras. Although its publication stopped after the thirteenth issue, “The New era” enjoyed a great success and it was all due to Radhakrishnan’s sincere efforts.
At Oxford
In 1929, Radhakrishnan went to Oxford on the proposal of Lord Haldane for the post of Principal at Manchester College. He succeeded Principal J.E. Carpenter. The acceptance of the post enabled him to lecture on Comperative Religion to the students of Oxford. In 1930, he was invited to give Hibbest lectures in which the students shared keen interest. In all of his lectures, he further emphasized the corporative method adopted in his Indian Philosophy. These lectures were published In 1932 titled “An Idealist view of life.”
These lectures were widely appreciated and received favourable reviews. Many philosophers appreciated his technique of lecturing. He was extremely fluent and his style was vivid which captured the audience attention. Even the Vice Chancellor of London was surprised at the mastery of Radhkrishnan over English which was not his mother tongue. He said, “India has always been the home of religion and philosophy and it has been a great pleasure to us to hear a great Indian teacher on these subjects.”
He was also invited to deliver Jowett Lectures for the year 1930. The subject of his lecture was “The East and the West in Religion.” He successfully assimilated the philosophies of the East and West and was able to bring the people of Europe and Asia more closely together. During his stay in England, he was highly appreciated by writers and philosophers like Bertrand Russel and H.N, Spalding.
Thus his Western tour proved to be very successful as he was able to propagate the idea that India was “a country not to be ruled but a nation seeking its soul.” He was happy and commenting on his experience of delivering lectures, Radhakrishnan wrote,” ……………… It heartened me to know that my addresses was liked by Christian audience.”
On his way back to India, he delivered lecture in Ceylon in 1931 and the topic was the “Legacy of Buddha.” He lectured for an hour without a note in his hand and was able to hold his audience spell bound.