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| Book Review: Wings of Fire by Abdul Kalam |
Book Details. . .
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Title: Wings of Fire
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Author: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
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Genre: Non Fiction
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Publisher: Universities Press; 1st edition (1999)
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ISBN-10: 8173711461 (ISBN-13: 978-8173711466)
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Pages: 180 Pages
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Rating: 3.5/5
Behind The Book. . .
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, the son of a
little-educated boat-owner in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, had an unparalleled
career as a defence scientist, culminating in the highest civilian award of
India, the Bharat Ratna. As chief of the country's defence research and
development programme, Kalam demonstrated the great potential for dynamism and
innovation that existed in seemingly moribund research establishments. This is
the story of Kalam's rise from obscurity and his personal and professional
struggles, as well as the story of Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul and
Nag-missiles that have become household names in India and that have raised the
nation to the level of a missile power of international reckoning. This is also
the saga of independent India's struggle for technological self-sufficiency and
defensive autonomy-a story as much about politics, domestic and international,
as it is about science.
Book
Synopsis. . .
The mere reference to
A.P.J Abdul Kalam fills our heart with utmost honor and admiration. He surely
was respect personified. Just like the lotus doesn’t get stained by the mud
marks despite being blossomed therein, Dr. Kalam managed to grace the canvas of
Indian polity with his simplicity and elegance.
‘Wings of Fire’ is portrayed
as an autobiographical account of the events of Kalam which evolved him to the
person he is (or rather was) today. Avul
Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born to a Tamil family in Rameshwaram. He
inherited the humility and simplicity from his parents, who from his early age
ensured that all pearls of wisdom for ‘simple living and high thinking’ were
imbibed in him right from his childhood. They lived in their ancestral house
which was devoid of any luxuries but took care of all necessities of life.
He traces his early
childhood years when he grew amidst the religion harmony amongst Hindus and
Muslims devoid of any religion differentiation. He worshiped Allah in the
mosque in the same way as he bowed to Shiva in the temple; his bedside stories
included as much tales of Prophet as did the stories from Ramayana. He completed
his initial schooling from Rameshwaram and then moved to Ramanathapuram for
further studies in school and Trichi for doing his graduation. Post his
graduation he got selected in Madras Institute of Technology (MIT).
The book is divided into
four main sections viz. Orientation
(which traces his early years from birth in 1931 to his qualification &
appointment at Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) at
the Ministry of Defense in Delhi in 1963), Creation
(which traces his formative years from 1963 when he went on a six months
training to NASA work centre to his professional evolution layer by layer which
earned him the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 1981), Propitiation (covering his later years in the job from 1981 to 1991
which saw him overcoming the hurdles and challenges in his professional and
personal life and becoming the “Missile Man of India” with the development of
five missiles – Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and Agni. This section also has
his un-parallel wisdom on leadership and team management) and the last one Contemplation (which traces his outer
years from the 1991 till the end of the decade).
Who were the people who
influenced the early years of the young Kalam? Who helped Kalam to pursue the
engineering from MIT despite high fees which he couldn’t afford? Which was
Kalam’s dearest dream which he couldn’t realize before he turned to become the
Missile Man of India? How did Prof. Vikram Sarabhai shape Kalam’s vision and
thinking?
Grab a copy of the book
to unearth the answers to above and experience the snippets from the life of
most loved President of the Republic of India.
My Thoughts.
. .
“We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be
to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.”
Despite all the outcries
and qualms, India is surely a unique country where even a dirt poor boy from a
remote village can become the President, the one which remains the most loved head
of the state in recent times. But this book isn’t about his presidential tenor
but about a boy from a humble beginning who worked hard to carve out a niche
for himself in the rocket dynamics and later making it large in life to become
eligible for the most esteemed position of the country.
‘Wings of Fire’ hailed
as the autobiography of Mr. Abdul Kalam is actually a bit more than that. In
addition to provide a deep narration to the events of Kalam’s life, it advocates
and portrays his vision and guidance to the youth of India encompassing his discourse
on the inspirational leadership and collaborative people management. The
chronicles of his stimulating journey emitting brighter rays of success through
the darker clouds of failures and multiple shades of disappointments implants the
sapling of hope to the ailing heart. ‘Forget the failure and search instead for
the true purpose of your existence…surrender yourself to the will of God’, is
what is the gist of Kalam’s advise to the young blood – an important point
being put forward is ‘Believe in yourself and also on HIS inscrutable ways!!!’
The book takes off brilliantly
with the backdrop of Kalam’s village in Rameshwaram providing glimpse of the
time and the people shaping his childhood. It’s really interesting to read
about the religious harmony and cohesiveness amongst people during those days.
Consider this, “The high priest of
Rameswaram temple, Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, was a very close friend of my
father’s. One of the most vivid memories of my early childhood is of the two
men, each in his traditional attire, discussing spiritual matters.” The
anecdotes which Kalam gives to reflect his early childhood days truly forms one
of the best part of the book revealing to the readers focal point of all the
humility and virtue he possessed.
It is rich in
motivational texture filled with nuggets of positive thinking citing examples
from his own life. There were times when the disappointment and failures bogged
down even someone like Kalam exposing him to risk of breaking down and falling
back. Just when, he was about to collapse, someone or the other was there by his
side to instill confidence and fighting spirit in him which propelled and launched
him with greater intensity towards the success.
Another great thing
which the book does is that it brings forth the contribution of innumerable
silent souls who toil night and day to put India on the high pedestal in the
map of world powers. These unsung heroes spend a major portion of their lives
placing at times the families and relations at the back burner for the
achievement of the sole objective of making India independent and comparable of
the world’s powerful nations. Kalam, in all humility, pays ode to all those
hands which came together for the launch of SLV 3, creation of RCI, Prithvi,
Agni etc.
The assorted pictures
from his life encompassing various facets and moods add multifold to the charm
of reading. The book reveals multi-dimensional personality of Mr. A.P.J Abdul
Kalam – Kalam, the Scholar; Kalam, the Scientist; Kalam, the Manager; Kalam,
the Leader; Kalam – the Learner and not to forget…Kalam, the Poet. The last one
did actually sweep me off completely for Mr. President did came across as an
eloquent and contemplating poet. The below mentioned powerful verses will vouch
my statement…
For all your days prepare
And meet them ever alike
When you are the anvil, bear
When you are the hammer, strike
While the book has
indeed a lot of positives to offer to the reader, at some junctures it become a
bit more scientific in representation which might break the flow of a normal
reader. I mean while detailing on the professional stint of Kalam, the books
transform like a manual on evolution map of India on the nuclear map enriched
with scientific terminology and milestone…something which might disconnect the
reader from the overall context. Further, some more insights on the personal
life of Mr. Kalam and his people would surely have done wonders.
The cover page of the
book shows Mr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam in a contemplative mood. The title of the book
‘Wings of Fire’ perfectly gels with the overall setting of the book which aims
to provide inspiration and motivation to the youth to expand and fly high. The
printing, font and word spacing are decent enough to grant reader a comfortable
read.
The Final
Word. . .
‘If you want to leave your footprints on the sands of time, do not
drag your feet…’ Wings of Fire do manage to fill your heart with positivity and
hope, scoring high on the simplicity and motivational quotient. It is a ‘straight
from the heart’ offering from the country’s most loved Head of the State embodying
his learning and wisdom from the years and years of hard work, failure and
struggle. Multi facets of Mr. Kalam’s personality and ideology will surely increase
your respect for him multifold…Respect!!!
Read this book for
rekindling your dreams and adding fuel to their wings to let them expand and fly
in the world of possibilities.
Rating: 3.5/5
Five
Favorite Quotes. . .
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1.
I sat alone for a while in silent
contemplation. The sand and shells of Rameswaram, the care of Iyadurai
Solomon in Ramanathapuram, the guidance of Rev. Father Sequeira in Trichi and
Prof. Pandalai in Madras, the encouragement of Dr Mediratta in Bangalore, the
hovercraft ride with Prof. Menon, the pre-dawn visit to the Tilpat Range with
Prof. Sarabhai, the healing touch of Dr Brahm Prakash on the day of the SLV-3
failure, the national jubilation on the SLV-3 launch, Madam Gandhi's
appreciative smile, the post-SLV-3 simmering at VSSC, Dr Ramanna's faith in
inviting me to DRDO, the IGMDP, the creation of RCI, Prithvi, Agni...a flood
of memories swept over me. Where were all these men now? My father, Prof.
Sarabhai, Dr Brahm Prakash? I wished I could meet them and share my joy with
them. I felt the paternal forces of heaven and the maternal and cosmic forces
of nature embrace me as parents would hug their long-lost child. I scribbled
in my diary: Away! fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more! Work claimed my
wakeful nights, my busy days Albeit brought memories of Rameswaram shore Yet
haunt my dreaming gaze!
2.
The trouble is that we often
merely analyse life instead of dealing with it. People dissect their failures
for causes and effects, but seldom deal with them and gain experience to
master them and thereby avoid their recurrence. This is my belief: that
through difficulties and problems God gives us the opportunity to grow. So
when your hopes and dreams and goals are dashed, search among the wreckage,
you may find a golden opportunity hidden in the ruins.
3.
My father had always reminded me
of the legendary Abou Ben Adhem who, waking one night from a deep dream of
peace, saw an angel writing in a book of gold the names of those who love the
Lord. Abou asked the Angel if his own name was on the list. The Angel replied
in the negative. Disappointed but still cheerful, Abou said, "Write my
name down as one that loves his fellowmen". The angel wrote, and
vanished. The next night, it came again with a great wakening light, and
showed the names of those whom the love of God had blessed. And Abou's name
was the first on the list.
4.
Stage I performed to perfection.
There was a smooth transition from this stage to the second stage. We were
spellbound to see our hopes flying in the form of the SLV-3. Suddenly, the
spell was broken. The second stage went out of control. The flight was
terminated after 317 seconds and the vehicle's remains, including my
favourite fourth stage with the payload splashed into the sea, 560 km off
Sriharikota. The incident caused us profound disappointment. I felt a strange
mix of anger and frustration. Suddenly, I felt my legs become so stiff that
they ached. The problem was not with my body; some-thing was happening in my
mind. The premature death of my hovercraft Nandi, the abandoning of the RATO,
the abortion of the SLV-Diamont fourth stage—all came alive in a flash, like
a long-buried Phoenix rising from its ashes.
5.
What makes life in Indian
organizations difficult is the widespread prevalence of this very
contemptuous pride. It stops us from listening to our juniors, subordinates
and people down the line. You cannot expect a person to deliver results if
you humiliate him, nor can you expect him to be creative if you abuse him or
despise him. The line between firmness and harshness, between strong
leadership and bullying, between discipline and vindictiveness is very fine,
but it has to be drawn. Unfortunately, the only line prominently drawn in our
country today is between the 'heroes' and the 'zeros'. On one side are a few
hundred 'heroes' keeping nine hundred and fifty million people down on the
other side. This situation has to be changed.
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About the Author. . .
APJ Abdul Kalam is one
of India’s most distinguished scientists. He served as the 11th President of
India, between 2002 and 2007. He was fondly referred to as “The People’s
President” during his term. He has honorary doctorates from over thirty
universities and is the recipient of the country’s three highest civilian
awards – the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna.
Arun Tiwari rose to fame
as an author with his book Wings of Fire, which he co-authored with Dr. A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam. He's a missile scientist who worked under the guidance of Kalam.
Tiwari contributed to the design of the missiles, Akash and Trishul and is the
first Indian who designed a titanium bottle to power missiles. Apart from this,
Tiwari has been the director at the Cardiovascular Technology Institute in
Hyderabad. He received the Defense Technology Spin-Off Award for developing the
Kalam-Raju stent.
Where to
grab a copy. . .
Please click here to buy the book
from Amazon
~ Shubh Life . . . OM Sai Ram
© 2016 Manish
Purohit (Reserved)
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