Reading Challenge In Lockdown Days Ignited Minds : APJ Abdul Kalam

Reading Challenge In Lockdown Days
Ignited Minds : APJ Abdul Kalam
The book was third in the row by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and published in 2002.
Dr Kalam was raised in a very modest Muslim family in temple town Rameshwaram and had grown up in a secular environment and had strong influence on his thought process from Hindu Seers, Sufis as well as Christian Preachers.
He worked very hard for his higher education and in the process become a scientist worked with DRDO and later climbed many high ladders , finally become President of India . In this book Dr. Kalam talks about his dream of developed India.
The strength of this book : it has been written in an easy to understand language, where he discussed some of the most difficult issues our country is facing in a very simple way. The book has nine chapters, each one of them dealing with various themes. Each chapter begins with a quote and ends with a summary giving the reader positive takeaway.
He talks about his experiences and interactions with people from different spheres of the society, including students, eminent scientists , visionaries, saints and industrialists. The book begins with inspiration to the youth of India to dream and to believe that what they dream can be true.
He emphasised need to change the mindset of people and questions the attitude of Indians to settle down with limited achievements without utilising their  full potential – resources, talent and skills and points out the lack of world competitiveness. He also emphasises on the fusion of science with spirituality. According to Dr Kalam , spiritual development is equally important along with the development of other areas, such as education and healthcare, agriculture, information technology and communication and infrastructure. In the end he urges the people of India to unite and to work with a purpose rather a mission. And he tries to forswear see India as a developed nation by 2020.
Dr. Kalam has shown a direction which involves industry-laboratory-academia linkage, suitable policies and administrative methods. Because India can only be developed if all, that is, institutions, political parties, industries, communities, families and individuals take responsibility of developing India.
There are some very inspiring portions which I would love to share here:
- Our civilization is rich, which leads to forward thinking, harmony and better understanding.
- With such a great nation and people, why are there communal clashes? I think that when a nation doesn't have a vision, small minds take over its affairs.
- from Holy Quran - All God’s creatures are His family; and he is the most beloved of God who tries to do most good to God’s creature
- Visionaries don't age!
- The question is not who would allow us but rather, who can stop us?
- An elder brother remains elder all your life!
- I realized then that if something is at stake, the human mind gets ignited and working capacity gets enhanced manifold.
- We need to realize that missions are always bigger than organizations, just as organizations are always bigger than the individuals who run them.
-I dream of an India governed by noble leaders.
- I would like to see in twenty years a literate and poverty-free India.
- A teacher once said, 'Give me a five year old child. After seven years, no God or Devil will be able to change the child.' Will all teachers be such Gurus
The book ends with this song for the youth about the vision for the developed nation bringing out the patriotism and encouraging to dream of a better and developed India:

“As a young citizen of india,armed with technology,knowledge and love for my nation,
I realize, small aim is a crim.
I wil work and sweat for a great vision,
the vision of transforming India to a developed nation
powered by economic strength wit value system
I am one of the citizens of a billion,
only the vision will ignite the billion souls.
It has entered into me,
the ignite soul compared to any resource,
is the most powerful resource
on the earth, above the earth and under the earth.
I will keep the lamp of knowledge burning
to achieve the vision “
A must read for Gen Next