When I was about 10 years old, we had a new teacher joined the school. He was supposed to teach us history. There was a lot of grumbling against this new teacher. He was a smoker and smelled. I was unconcern about all things going against him.

 

In his first lesson, he asked question to all children in the class. “How did we receive Indian independence?” We all said Mahatma Gandhi got us Indian Independence. He questions us, “Why all mighty British Empire would grant Independence to India because of Mahatma Gandhi?” Most of were bemused by his question. For every Indians Mahatma Gandhi was the main cause to gain Independence. This fact was enshrined in various popular songs around that time. He started explaining might of British Empire, where the Sun never set. He said there were other factors in Indian Independence. He pointed out second world war had just finished. UK. Was broke, UK had labour government. All those factors helped to offer India an independence. Some those facts were difficult for us to understand as 10/11 years old children. Most of did not like what he said as it went against popular belief. I found his questions and his answer mind opening. First time I had some grasp that any event/situation has multitude of reality. I was excited by history. Later I learnt about Jain doctrine of Annekantvad. I found validation of my thinking in religious thinking. I was waiting to learn history with multidimensional views.

 

Unfortunately, negative opinions from other teachers and students got better of him and he was fired from his job in a few days.