I was hardly 12 years old then For quite long, I had a feeling of inferiority complex and avoided public speaking. When, however, I was stuydying in VII class I came across the story of Edmund Burk who became a member of British Parliament for the first time. When he stood up to speak in Parliament, he could only utter these words ‘Hon’ble members, I conceive, I conceive, I conceive and he stammered and could say nothing more.                              .

A smart lady member immediately stood up and said, ‘Gentleman, you have conceived thrice but have produced  no child. Had I conceived once, I would have produced one child’. On hearing this, the whole parliament went into a fit of

uproarious laughter which continued for minutes. Edmund burk felt very much hurt and disgraced and stopped coming to parliament from the next day.

Later on, every day, he left home early morning and reached some place in a deep forest and addressed the surrounding trees on any topic of public interest for hours. This continued for months till he gained full confidence in arguing  on topics being discussed in parliament.

Then he returned to parliament and took part in the debate on ‘Impeachment of Warren Hastings’, which continued in the house for a number of days. The speeches of Edmund Burk made a deep impact on the minds of all the members and, ultimately, the motion was carried in favour. Warren hastings had been the Governor General of India and became infamous due to the harrassment caused to ‘Begamat – e – Oudh’ and certain other misdeeds which are now a part of History. Later on, these speeches were compiled in book form and were taught in English literature course in MA Classes.

This example greatly inspired me and I got over my nervousness to a great extent. After passing out of 5th class, I started learning English language in the summer vacations, whole heartedly.

My uncle Lala Amar Singh Jain resided at Baraut town and was a cloth merchant there. My parents decided to send me to Baraut for further studies. My uncle took me to the principal of Digamber Jain Inter College, who directed us to see master Harish Chand Ji for tests. He gave me an English book for reading and explaining its contents. I read it so fluently  and explained its contents so nicely well that he was immensely impressed and recommended my admission in 8th or 9th class. But I expressed my reluctance in getting admission even in 8th class as there were other subjects in which I was not so proficient, particularly in Maths. I, therefore, requested to be admitted in 7th class to which he readily agreed.

Now a new chapter began in my life. My interest in Urdu Literature was much more than in my course books. I was always on the look out for Urdu Literary books, particularly, books containing Urdu verses. I started writing poetry my self. All the time, I was humming poems of other poets or my own. By & by I became ecstatically absorbed in poerty, as if I was born for that purpose only.

There were two maulvies in the college who taught Urdu & Persian to all classes. They were very well versed in Persian and Urdu. In each class, there were quite a good number of

students who opted for Urdu subject. Luckily, one of the two  maulvies was also the librarian of the college library. He was well aware of my deep interest in Urdu Literature and had a strong desire to help me in my pursuit of literary activities. He, therefore, procured many books of verses by eminent contemporary Urdu Poets like Saghar Nizami, Josh Malihabadi, Dr. Iqbal, Seemab Akbar Abadi and serval others. As soon as he received a new volume, he called me and issued it in my name.
Same was the case with new Urdu magazines. By & by. I became famous as a poet. In the college. It became routine, that I was invited to recite one or two poems in all the functions held in the college Hall. Some times the teachers called me in the staff room and listened to my compositions, with applause. This encouraged me a lot. Particularly, the two maulvies who understood poetry better than others, appreciated my poems and expressed hopes of a very bright future for me as an Urdu Poet. They blessed me by saying ‘Allah Kare Zauq – e – Sukhan Aur Ziada’.