A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was one of India’s most beloved presidents and youth icons. His radical ideas combined with his vision for the nation moved generations. Every speech, every piece of writing that came from Kalam’s desk had one common thread: an undying, unconditional love for his country. No one can evoke better the deep sense of national pride and enthusiasm, be it in children or adults, than Kalam could. ‘Loving Your Country’ is a collection of some of Kalam's most enthralling speeches about India. Read on.
India has never been averse to welcoming ideas and people from outside. Over the years, it has assimilated many ideas, cultures and technologies—after shaping them to suit its genius and environment. However, somewhere down the line, over the course of our long history, we appear to have lost faith in ourselves. Moreover, we haven't yet become bold enough to chart our own path. In such a case, it is good to hear and see what other countries have done, and are doing—although conclusions about what is good for our country are to be shaped by our people. With this in mind, we should look at how the US, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and some European countries have generated vision documents of their own. In Learning from Other Countries, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan highlight the importance of seeking inspiration from other developed countries in order to walk the path of development ourselves.
Wisdom and inspiration from India’s best-loved president My India: Ideas for the Future is a collection of excerpts from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s speeches in his post-presidency years. Drawn from Dr Kalam’s addresses to parliaments, universities, schools and other institutions in India and abroad, they include his ideas on science, nation-building, poverty, compassion and self-confidence. Dr Kalam draws on the lives of stalwarts such as Marie Curie and Dr Vikram Sarabhai to encourage and inspire his young readers. Through these speeches, he shares many valuable lessons in humility, resilience and determination, and leads children to think, grow and evolve. A project very close to his heart, Dr Kalam’s last book for children is a road map for every child to pursue their dreams, to be the best they can be, leading to the realization of a better India.
What makes a nation great? Is it simply economic prosperity and military strength -- or something more? What is it that we as a nation require to make that last-mile journey to what all the plans, investments and projects are meant to lead up to? It is only a matter of time before India is termed economically developed. But a nation has to learn to survive in tough times too. And for that what is most important is national character, born out of the value systems that exist in our families, what schools teach students, and the culture of the nation. In Pathways to Greatness, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam shifts focus from the economic development of India by 2020 to the development of our strengths, offering key lessons that will help India withstand the forces of change. He identifies what makes a nation great and also compares the standards of living of other nations with India's. He draws on his travels and his interactions with people. He evolves unique oaths for citizens from all walks of life to ensure that a better life becomes possible for everyone.In the book he completed just a few months before he passed away in 2015, one of India's best-known icons writes how our nation can become a leader on the pathways to greatness.
India 2020 is about to become a reality. Are we ready? As Dr Kalam and Y.S. Rajan had contended in their landmark vision document, India 2020, India has steadily moved towards becoming one of the top five economic powers in the twenty-first century. India’s growth story has seen new opportunities and emerging technologies that make faster and more inclusive growth viable. In Beyond 2020, Kalam and Rajan argue that a renewed policy focus is now needed for agriculture, manufacturing, mining, the chemicals industry, healthcare and infrastructure to invigorate these sectors and boost economic growth. India can still make it to the list of developed nations in a decade. This timely book provides an action plan for that transformation.
As we aspire for rising economic prosperity and a strong and confident India, this book forcefully reminds us of the values that make for a truly sustainable society, at the heart of which is the family. For it is not economic growth or military strength alone that will make India strong. Sustainable success comes from values, and these can sustain a society and a nation even in times of hardship. The book expresses an ideal by which Indian society may prosper and speaks of how spirituality can help create a noble nation and a better world. It provides a valuable counterpoint to the modern-day emphasis on consumerism and the philosophy of more is better, highlighting the sanctity of the natural world and its great power to evoke human creativity and love. Writing on this crucial subject are two iconic Indians. Together, Acharya Mahapragya and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam-- one a Jain muni revered as a saint, the other a visionary, a distinguished scientist and a former President of India-- bring their vast experience to bear on this important subject. As the authors put it, it's only a united and happy family that will lead to a strong nation, one that can be a true fulfilment of 5,000 years of India's civilization. The book takes up the difficult and pressing task of setting a new agenda in a time of radical social change. It shows us the path we need to follow to take India to its rightful place as a great nation.
A visionary's bequest to the nation On the way from Delhi to Jaunpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh is the dusty town of Badshahpur. Even in this nondescript settlement, people receive money via mobile transfer from family members working in distant cities. There are computer training centres offering diploma courses in Bhojpuri, Hindi and English. Here is an example of India's numerous remote towns that have skipped the stage of basic learning and landed straight into digital literacy as they strive to keep up with the times.In his last book, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, writing with Srijan Pal Singh, draws upon examples ranging from entrepreneurship in places like Badshahpur to a sophisticated missile programme like Agni to show how it can be 'Advantage India' in the final lap of the journey to 2020--the landmark year by which he had envisioned the country could transform into an economic power. How can the new initiatives--such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat, smart cities and skill development for the youth--be used to unleash the country's vast potential?Advantage India offers the answer--a movement driven by every home and school to educate the new generation and give a fresh meaning to citizenship.
In this moving collection of poems, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam takes us into his world, full of simplicity and beauty, understanding and compassion. Kalam’s love for the country hines through as he inspires us and urges us to break the barriers of caste, religion and language. He wonders at God’s creation in his paeans to nature, while imparting a deeply personal touch to his observations of human relationships. The Life Tree is an intimate introduction to Kalam the man, his life and his inspirational thoughts.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had an incredible passion for enlightening the youth and he made this process of interacting with young students, his lifetime mission, after surviving a helicopter crash landing at Ranchi. There were many questions that came to his mind, like: What type of understanding do the youth have towards development? Are they really concerned about the development and the future of India? How the Minds of youth can be enlightened? To address these questions and to understand the mind frame of children, he started with a resolution of meeting a million children which eventually turned out to be a historical achievement of meeting 150 million children, during his lifetime. His final moments, on the 27 of July 2015, was spent in front of the students of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong. The collection of some of Dr. Kalam's speeches, presented in this book, are indeed a methodically developed tool, which educates people on how to discover their passions and uncover their potential. Through there speeches of Dr. Kalam, this book is a good teacher on various aspects such as, how to build ideal relationships that are key to a fulfilling life, and how to live satisfying, successful and passionate lives.
Will robots take over the world? When will we meet aliens? How are memories stored inside the brain? Join Dr A.P.J. Kalam on a fascinating quest to explore the realm of science and technology, its extraordinary achievements and its impact on our lives in the days to come. Co-written with Srijan Pal Singh, this book features exciting and cutting-edge career paths in areas such as robotics, aeronautics, neurosciences, pathology, paleontology and material sciences . . . in other words, careers that are going to make a difference in the future. The result of extensive research, this book offers a plethora of ground-breaking ideas that will make youngsters think out of the box. Filled with anecdotes, conversations, experiments and even inputs from leading scientists, Reignited is the perfect handbook that is bound to create a spark for science among students, youth and science enthusiasts.
India’s most popular president was also an extremely disciplined man. Whether it was maintaining his social engagements or dealing with professional shortcomings, Kalam tackled it all with aplomb and dignity. And when it comes to learning important life lessons, who could be a better teacher than Kalam himself? ‘Some Life Lessons’, a collection of his thoughts articulated at different moments of his life, and largely focused on the youth, will motivate and energize the youth to become future nation builders. Read on.
‘Once your mind stretches to a new level it never goes back to its original dimension.’ There are many reasons why A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s most cherished president, was so loved: he was inspiring, he was smart, he was funny, he could connect with children and adults alike, but most of all, he was the kind of person one could tell had figured out the secret of living a happy life. ‘A Beautiful Life’ is a collection of some of Kalam’s most riveting speeches that talk about cherishing and celebrating the small moments in life. Read on.
‘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.’ As the most influential president of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s ideas are far too vast and his vision too deep to be summarized in just a few pages. His idea about collective progress—instead of simply looking at one’s individual growth—truly paints the picture of an ‘Incredible India’. ‘To Give Is to Gain’ contains his most captivating thoughts on getting ahead by helping another person succeed. Read on.
Mission India: A Vision For Indian Youth has been written with the intention of challenging the Indian youth to bring about a positive change in the country by 2020. Kalam starts off by telling the readers that there has never been a time in Indian history such as this, where the nation has 540 million youth and 20 million Indians across the globe. He also states that several developed countries have directed their efforts towards setting up research centers across the country, which has benefited scientists, engineers, and professionals from various spheres. Kalam and Rajan tell the readers about their goal to make India one among the five top economic powers in the world by 2020. In the beginning of this book, Kalam presents the readers with a question as to whether India can become a developed country. He then provides insights into the current situation in the country, and explains that this goal is a realistic one. In the subsequent chapters, Kalam and Rajan begin to examine the five industries that need to become reasonably self-sufficient in the coming years, and each chapter tells the readers what can be done to bring a positive change in each industry. They also tell the readers about the current education system in the country, and the latest technology that can be used to improve the quality of education. The readers are also given insights into the present healthcare industry and infrastructural system, which are trademarks of a developed nation. Kalam and Rajan conclude by telling every individual and organization about the role they can play in transforming the nation by 2020
Nuclear capability; self-sufficiency in food production; an array of indigenous satellites and missiles; an unmanned Moon mission—India’s achievements in the scientific domain in recent years have been spectacular. But; according to the country’s best-known scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and his close associate Y.S. Rajan; we’ve only just begun. In a century that many experts predict may belong to India; the realization of the vision of a better future for everyone will require a keen understanding of our needs and this can only be achieved by tailoring our research and innovations to the goal of national development. India to the forefront of the world in the decades to come. The Scientific Indian will speak to every curious and adventurous mind; and especially to tomorrow’s scientists and technologists; encouraging us to dream big; and urging us to work hard to make our dreams come true. In The Scientific Indian; the authors of the path-breaking India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium return after ten years to the core areas of scientific advancement that are crucial today: space exploration; satellite technology; missile development; earth and ocean resources; the biosphere; food production; energy and water harvesting; health care and communications; to name a few. For each aspect; the authors provide the context of recent progress on the global platform as well as Indian breakthroughs; before outlining a pragmatic vision of technological development that will propel
It was like any other day on the Anna University campus in Chennai. As I was returning to my room in the evening, the vice-chancellor, Prof. A. Kalanidhi, fell in step with me.Someone had been frantically trying to get in touch with me through the day, he said. Indeed, the phone was ringing when I entered the room.When I answered, a voice at the other end said, 'The prime minister wants to talk with you.' Some months earlier, I had left my post as Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India to return to teaching. Now, as I spoke to the PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, my life was set for an unexpected change.Turning Points takes up the incredible Kalam story from where Wings of Fire left off. It brings together details from his career and presidency that are not generally known as he speaks out for the first time on certain points of controversy. It is a continuing saga, above all, of a journey - individual and collective - that will take India to 2020 and beyond as a developed nation.
Target 3 Billion: Innovative Solutions Towards Sustainable Development: The book talks about the 3 billion people across the globe who live in villages and are often deprived of basic resources. It integrates the challenges and opportunities of the present human civilization and elaborates on providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA), a sustainable and environment-friendly system that will uplift the rural masses. The authors pose the question-what can I do to empower 3 billion people? The answers have been provided from the perspectives of citizens, students and senior citizens. India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium: The authors offer a blueprint for India to be counted among the world's top five economic powers by the year 2020. They cite growth rates and development trends to show that the goal is not unrealistic. Past successes-the green revolution and satellite-based communication linking remote regions of the country, for instance bear them out. Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow's India: Kalam and Rajan argue that a renewed policy focus is now needed for agriculture, manufacturing, mining, the chemicals industry, healthcare and infrastructure to invigorate these sectors and boost economic growth. India can still make it to the list of developed nations in a decade.
The progress of a nation that has over a billion people depends on how its people think. But for change to happen, action upon those thoughts is necessary. And somehow, over the years, India has developed the habit of giving less priority to actual action. Fortunately, a large part of our population is young and raring to go. They are prepared to explore new avenues of work and employment and not wait for a secure job in government. Moreover, there is substantial political devolution of power to the states. But how does one initiate that action? In Realizing Vision 2020, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan lay down a clear-cut agenda for the way forward towards a developed India.
In this ground-breaking vision document, first published in 1998, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan offer a blueprint for India to be counted among the world’s top five economic powers by the year 2020. They cite growth rates and development trends to show that the goal is not unrealistic. Past successes—the green revolution and satellite-based communication linking remote regions of the country, for instance—bear them out. The same sense of purpose can make us a prosperous, strong nation in a matter of years, assert Kalam and Rajan. This is a book that every citizen who hopes for a better India must read.
What is it that we as a nation are missing? Why, given all our skills, resources and talents, do we settle so often for the ordinary instead of striving to be the best? At the heart of Ignited Minds is an irresistible premise: that people do have the power, through hard work, to realize their dream of a truly good life. Kalam’s vision document of aspiration and hope motivates us to unleash the dormant energy within India and guide the country to greatness.
Arun K. Tiwari is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and is currently Director of CARE Foundation; Hyderabad. He took up creative scientific writing in 1987 and since then has written several books including the best seller Wings of Fire with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. GUIDING SOULS by A P J ABDUL KALAM: Embark on a reflective journey with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's GUIDING SOULS. This book offers a collection of Kalam's thought-provoking insights, touching upon themes of leadership, morality, and spirituality. Through his words, readers are encouraged to introspect, learn, and grow as individuals. Key Aspects of the Book GUIDING SOULS: Spiritual Wisdom: Explore Kalam's thoughts on spirituality and its role in guiding individuals towards purposeful and meaningful lives. Ethical Leadership: Gain insights into Kalam's perspective on ethical leadership, emphasizing the importance of values in shaping a better world. Personal Growth: Discover Kalam's inspirational messages that encourage readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and continuous improvement. The late A P J ABDUL KALAM was a renowned scientist, visionary, and former President of India. His contributions to science and his inspirational leadership continue to leave a profound impact on society. GUIDING SOULS encapsulates his philosophical musings and provides readers with valuable life lessons.
‘Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.’ Oftentimes, our desire to succeed doesn’t account for the failure, when in fact, failing at something can teach us the most about how to succeed. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a perennial optimist and had unflinching faith in the ability and intent of the Indian youth to overcome every single problem the nation faces. In ‘Failure Is a Teacher’, read some of Kalam’s most profound ideas about failing and using that failure to propel ourselves towards success.
This book is an account of how Dr. Kalam visualizes information and Communication technology mining the rural talent. Here, Dr. Kalam presents his dream of schools in India at 2020 as symbiotic nerve centres connecting teachers, students and community; personifying knowledge that exists in the world. He also makes a clarion call to accelerate the process of societal transformation. This would involve raising the standards of governance and safeguarding the sanctity of public institutions. The book uses the metaphor of a tree to describe the process of knowledge bearing fruits of prosperity in the contemporary globalised world where different phases, formative, adult working life, and post-50 experienced senior citizens, call for different kinds of learning. The book refers to a contextual contribution of a large number of Indian scientists and artists and proves that there is no age bar to blossom. He advocates creation of conditions that favour growth of diverse individual talents akin to a garden and calls for a scientific mind-set guided by conscience, consensus and by actions that take our social and moral values into account in building our own systems. The book extensively draws from the world literature making an essential inspirational reading. YOU ARE BORN TO BLOSSOM by A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM/ ARUN TIWARI: Uncover your potential to bloom with YOU ARE BORN TO BLOSSOM, co-authored by A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM and ARUN TIWARI. This book inspires readers to embrace their unique talents, fulfill their aspirations, and contribute meaningfully to the world. Key Aspects of the Book YOU ARE BORN TO BLOSSOM by A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM/ ARUN TIWARI: Individual Potential: Explore Kalam and Tiwari's insights on recognizing and nurturing one's innate talents and abilities. Personal Growth: Gain insights into how embracing self-discovery, continuous learning, and perseverance leads to personal and professional growth. Impactful Living: Discover their guidance on living a purposeful life, contributing to society, and making a positive difference. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM and ARUN TIWARI collaborate in YOU ARE BORN TO BLOSSOM to empower individuals to unlock their potential. The book encourages readers to pursue their aspirations and contribute to a better world.
In 1998, a book was published that was surprisingly ahead of its times. It was called India 2020 and proposed that India could soon be one of the top five economies of the world. The nation had set off a series of nuclear tests and was facing worldwide sanctions. A new government had taken charge, and the economy was facing a tough time. It was not the best of times to predict that India had it in her to get on the fast track to development. The vision presented in the book would go on to inspire, directly or indirectly, many sectors of the economy to work for and achieve high growth. The book has since sold hundreds of thousands of copies. In A Manifesto for Change, its author A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, writing with co-author V. Ponraj, offers a sequel. As focused then as now on his dream of a developed India by 2020, the eleventh President of India examines what we need to get right to accomplish that essential goal: harnessing the stupendous energy of our youth to contribute to growth, a united Parliament that makes full use of its time for constructive debate and rises above petty party politics to achieve the larger national vision, and a plan of action that looks at development from the grassroots to giant strides in infrastructure and bridging the urban-rural disparity. It is time to leave behind the politics of antagonism and disruption behind, he suggests. As reward: a developed India as befits this beautiful land.
The pace of social and economic growth has been closely linked to the proficiency with which people have been able to use and shape materials. Today, this proficiency has become the bedrock of a country's development. Strength in material technology is crucial for the agriculture–food processing and agricultural sectors. If we master it, we can ensure a bright future for our people. But what materials can we enhance to optimize our output? Read on, as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan elaborate upon the potential India has in India's Material Resources.
Strength respects strength.' In the period following World War II, as nations focused on developing their economies, security has come to mean more than just protecting borders. Other forms of security—food and economic security—have come to be of as much importance. The term 'strategic industries' refers to industries that give India a decisive advantage over a broad range of areas and not just in a military context. Building strategic technology or industries today will find day-to-day applications two decades from now. It thus becomes imperative to develop these so that the future generation of Indians have new worlds to conquer and not struggle with challenges of the past. In India and its Potential, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan highlight the possibilities that our country has yet to act upon, paving the way towards sustainable development.
A developed India by 2020, or even earlier, is not a dream.' What is it that makes a country 'developed'? Is it the wealth of the nation? The prosperity of its people? Its standing in the international forum? Economic indicators, although important, only provide a part of the picture. For instance, per capita income can indicate wealth in the hands of people, but everyone doesn't have the same amount of money. India's core strengths are derived from its resources: national and human. It is by optimizing these to the fullest that we can really set out on the path to development. But where does one begin? What does one pay attention to first? Can India Become a Developed Country? by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan takes a look at some of the fundamental questions we must ask as a populace to truly see India take its rightful place on the global map.
As a country of one billion, we should gear ourselves to take up opportunities offered by the services sector in our march towards an India where every Indian will have wealth and well-being.' The services sector has come to be considered a major part of the economy. Modern agriculture, with its improved inputs and greater mechanization, has led to decreased agricultural employment and migration of farm workers to urban areas in search of better living standards. There is, as in the developed world, a search for new employment, namely, for a shift to a sector loosely defined as the services sector. Although a country like India cannot afford to build its future on this sector alone, it can be and will be a major component of the economy—if only to find and create new jobs and individual prosperity for the people. In India and the Services Sector, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan discuss the potential of developing the services sector and how much it can benefit the country in the long run.
India has always found ways to overcome her problems. After terrible famines in the 1960s, we achieved foodgrain self-sufficiency in the 1970s. Today, we have buffer stock, diversification of agriculture and significant growth in the agriculture-based processing industry. Yet, about 40 per cent of our people still live below the poverty line. Clearly, we haven't solved all our problems on the food front. Moreover, with time, demand will increase and new challenges to agriculture will continue to surface. In such a case, how do we find a way to move forward? In The Indian Food Crisis, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan present a range of simple technologies, a large set of necessary organizational efforts and information exchange programmes that will help us attain permanent and sustainable food security.
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