WINGS OF FIREAN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF DR.APJ ABDUL KALAM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameshwaram, Madras He studied Physics and Aerospace Engineering He worked as an Aeronautical Engineer with DRDO and ISRO He is popularly known as the “Missile Man of India” for his work on development of

ballistic missile and space rocket technology. He was elected as 11th President of India in 2002 with the support of both the

ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress The Government of India has honoured him with some of the Highest civilian awards

like: Bharat Ratna Padma Bhushan Padma Vibhushan Doctor of Engineering Doctor of Science, etc.

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AUTHOR’S STYLE: Facts and events knitted artistically

Reality shrouded with science

Nothing overtly done

Command over Language

Eye for detailing

Sentence formation that connects

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ABOUT THE BOOK

The story of a boy from a humble background who went on to become a key player in Indian Space Research/Indian Missile Programs and later became the president of India

The book covers authors struggles, his failures, his success and his triumph The book tells us about the upbringing of author and various people that made

impact on his life The book tells us to have vision, create team, have self belief and make it possible This book also tells us about other great scientists like Vikram Sarabhai, Madhavan

Nair The book is a treat for a person with a science or engineering background This book is inspirational, motivational and meticulous for every age and work group

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Key People who influenced Dr.Kalam

Jainulabdeen : Father Ashiamma : Mother Zohara : Sister Ahmed Jainulabdeen : Relative & Brother-in-Law Prof.Vikram Sarabhai : Mentor of Dr.Kalam Prof.Satish Dhawan : Colleague Prof.Madhavan Nair : Colleague

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The book is divided into:

Orientation CreationPropitiationContemplation

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ORIENTATION:

This section covers the years 1931-1963

It covers early life of APJ Abdul Kalam, the way he remembers his friends, relatives, teachers who influenced him makes one wonder.

It covers his education and early travels

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CREATION: This section covers the years 1963-1980

This section deals with Dr.kalam’s further trainings and his association with defense and space projects, mainly SLV3

This section has too much scientific details and introduces us to a list of defense and space research establishments

Here we find the stalwarts of Indian Science like Prof.Vikram Sarabhai, Dr.Satish Dhawan, Dr.Madhavan Nair

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PROPITIATION: This section covers the years 1981-1991

This covers with APJ Abdul Kalam moving from ISRO to Defense labs.

It covers the story behind the names we all have heard, the SLV3, PSLV, Akaash, Agni, Naga, Trishul and what not

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CONTEMPLATION:

The last section covers with later years where APJ Abdul Kalam is conferred with a list of awards, his contemplations, his vsions for the country.

This section along with epilogue also mentions of Kalam’s VISION 2020 – of self reliance vision & technology vision.

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“INDIA LOST A GEM” Missile Man of India Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam passes away on 27 July 2015

Kalam had a cardiac arrest while addressing students at the Indian Institute of Management in the Meghalaya state capital, Shillong.

He was giving speech on 'Creating a Livable Planet Earth‘

It was not only the topic of a lecture which he had just begun to deliver before the management students on that fateful day, but was also the subject of a book which he could not finish in his lifetime

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LEARNINGS: Every effort in the right direction matters, even if it miniscule

Don’t give up but believe in yourself and just do it

Never underestimate the strength of your team, capitalize on each members strength

A right vision and a strong inspiration is very important to make any team shine

Don’t just show your team that you’ve faith in them but also inspire and empower them to deliver

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“ Each individual creature on this beautiful planet is here to fulfill a particular role. 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.”

-WINGS OF FIRE : An Autobiography of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam (1999)