SEMESTER-3
READING AND REFLECTION OF BOOKS
Book-1
Wings of Fire
- Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam
Written by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, honorable President of India.
'Wings of Fire' is an autobiography capable of inspiring even a common man into
becoming a technologist. A well composed novel which revolves around the life
of Mr. Kalam a renowned scientist as he shares his experiences and the minutest
of details of his life. I like the way the book has been put together along
with the delicate facts of his personal life. His family background, the pain
and suffering he went through and recollected himself is commendable. The day I
finished reading this book, such an influential personality impacted me very
deeply and it gave me a glimpse of how the power of positive thinking can help
achieve all odds.
This autobiography
comprises of a balance of details of the technological and political challenges
faced to prosper in its aeronautical and space program. It is also a success
story of Dr.Kalam's participative management practices.
Also, it gives an insight
into the lives of Hindus and Muslims of India and their relationships among
each other and among multi religious communities in India.
"Wings of Fire" is
an account of a young boy who tries to achieve his dreams beating all odds. The
story emphasizes the importance of family, relatives and friends in helping
achieve each other's goals and turning dreams to reality. It teaches us to
become a patriotic citizen of our country shown in the book as a determinant
India and countless effort of its scientists in achieving superiority in
aeronautical, space and rocket technology.
This book offers an
important lesson of finding success from failures of Indian space and rocket
infrastructural programs. A good presentation of the role of other renowned
scientists moulding our country's future. This book is full of information and
is a recommended choice for every student, because this book has the influence
and power to motivate a person to stand out in life. "Wings of Fire"
is a unique model of accomplishing one's goals, while fulfilling the promise to
its country.
As I read through this
book I felt the same humility that Mr.Kalam felt when he was engaged into the
program. A friend recommended me this book and I am glad that he did.
This book is an biography
of India's president Abdul Kalam which has been co-authored with famous Arun
Tiwari, who once had worked with Kalam in the field of military defense
research. As from the book itself, "this is the story of Kalam who
flourished from darkness into the bright sunlight, his personal and
professional effort. . . . . . . This is also the narrative of independent
India's struggle for technological self adequacy & sovereignty in defense
systems - a story as much regarding politics, as it is regarding science."
The story tells us about
Kalam's rise from a humble lower-middle class family & his narrative of
India's efforts in rocketry & space technology. Segregated into four
sections, the book gradually reaches for the stars - Orientation, Creation,
Propitiation & Contemplation. As a tribute to his mother and father, the
book is dedicated to his parents.
The first segment relates to
the early life of Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Kalam. His recollections of the early
days are very suggestive of good old Magudi set up. He remembers his parents,
relatives and teachers his most influential characters in the book. Adding
color to the section are pictures of that time. This segment covers all his
early learning and travels.
The next segment is related to Kalam's
further education and work experience and his involvement with projects of
military defense and space, primarily the SLV3. This part has many scientific
details and is an introduction to defense and space research organizations.
Kalam is an 'aam aadmi' at heart, this is shown in the book in many of his
narratives through his interaction with even the insignificant people in the
hierarchy like Dr Brahm prakash, Prof Satish Dhawan and Prof Vikram Sarabhai.
The third segment covers the years
from 80-91 when Kalam is posted from ISRO to military defense labs. Filled with
many pictures, this section too keeps us entertained. And to imagine he worked
mostly in government institutions where bureaucracy and red tapes are the order
of the day.
We have all heard of SLV3,
PSLV, Akaash, Naga, Agni, Trishul in the news and these technological
achievements marks the success of what is now, one of the strongest and
determined aeronautical and space organization of India.
The last segment is
connected with the later years where Kalam is bestowed upon with series of
awards, his thought and his visions for a proud India. It is almost impossible
not to be inspired by the life of Mr.Kalam. This segment along with the
conclusion also mentions of Kalams dream for the year 2020.
The book itself is written
in simple English and it seems as if the author is speaking out to the reader
directly. One must read this for the following reasons - India's greatest
scientist Abdul Kalam's story, military and defense research, missile
technology, India's vital space programs and general knowledge. Throughout the
book there are morals that are for the grooming purposes for everyone, even for
the administrators. Abdul Kalam tells us how the finest of people can be
brought out. Abdul Kalam is referred to as 'spiritual scientist', his visions
and contributions to his country.
As a young man, Abdul
Kalam was inquisitive and keen to learn more and more about science. Kalam's
mentors persuaded him to ponder onto the great opportunity into space science
and by achieving this India will become self-sufficient in aeronautical and
rocket science. He was the first one with a vision that India has great
potential in its space and satellite development of launch vehicles. SLV's
provide as the foundation for a range of state-of-the-art missile technology in
India's military. From an American viewpoint, 'when everyone is shouting bloody
murder and weapon proliferation, Abdul Kalam's memories of France's taking away
of support and fake accusations of German help serve as a alarming reminder
that embargoing a country simply cannot work if the country's public is strong
enough to control their own destiny. It's worrying that there is little debate
on the ethics of an impoverished country developing nuclear weapons and
deploying delivery systems. . . .But that's almost totally lost in the argument
of self-reliance, a determination to never again surrender to foreign rule.
'Abdul Kalam, an optimist, made helped India become self sufficient in its
space and rocket technology. The book also inspires the youth of India living
nationally and internationally that they appreciate the one marvel achieved by
their nations hero, Abdul Kalam and strive themselves to become strong in every
area of their profession and make India prosper for eternity.Abdul Kalam, the
man with many names. He is most trusted man in India according to survey, He is
also known as 'the missile man' of India. Abdul Kalam will be cherished long
after he is gone, the man whom India loves.
The book is a journey
into Abdul Kalams life; the book however does not cover his presidency days
that were published before he became the president of India. Abdul Kalam stayed
in 'Ramesh Varam' which is famous for its 'Shiv' temple. The famous temple was
few kilometers journey from Abdul Kalam's home, a Muslim dominated area. Abdul
Kalam use to sell newspapers to help his brother, was good friend of the priest
of the temple and his father was respectable man whom people used to turn for
advice. Abdul Kalam writes about his school days, his brother in law's
influence on him and his teachers in the initial chapters. He also writes about
his financial challenges he faced during the time he was into education.
The later chapters are
some of Vikram Sarabhai's immense contribution in establishment of space
research center and opening up new feet's for coming scientists. Abdul kalam's
efforts in association with other scientist would make ordinary Indian
understand the zeal , the effort of human soul in making India , a well
respected country in space science.As a mentor of Abdul Kalam, Vikram Sarabhai
had expert management skills and team building skills with which he groomed
Abdul Kalam into becoming a scientist to remember for years to come.In one of his
meeting with Vikram Sarabhai at 3 a.m, Abdul Kalam worked hours at stretch with
his colleague for presentation to defense minister and he forgets an important
personal event to attend to, this shows Kalams determination for his work and
his country to succeed. ISRO, prithvi, agni, nag, trishul are some of the
achievements which every Indian is proud of. It was a moment to cherish when
India made its first journey to the moon and along with this journey to success
was Abdul Kalams belief that nothing can stop India from reaching the stars and
he certainly proved himself as one of the stars.
Considering that this
book comes from a scientist, this book does have little scientific narration.
SLV, Geo satellite, composite material, mechanical engineering and such things.
The journey itself always has technical errors especially when it's scientific
in nature. Abdul Kalam, like the man himself forced his will to victory over
failures, fears and disappointments. At the core, the book is about the great
Indian dream. A wish that all the founding fathers of a country have, a wish
fulfilled by Abdul Kalam. A country which is divided by religion and caste. A
country which has a corrupt political system and where money rules, Abdul Kalam
still made millions of citizens of India a proud nation. Aftermath
Book-2
The Story of My Experiments with Truth
The Story
of My Experiments with Truth is the
autobiography of Mohandas K. Gandhi, covering his life from early childhood through to 1921. It
was written in weekly instalments and published in his journal Navjivan from 1925 to 1929. Its English
translation also appeared in installments in his other journal Young India.It
was initiated at the insistence of Swami Anand and other close co-workers of Gandhi, who encouraged him to
explain the background of his public campaigns. In 1999, the book was
designated as one of the "100 Best Spiritual Books of the 20th
Century" by a committee of global spiritual and religious authorities.
This
section is written by Mahadev Desai who translated the book from Gujarati to English in
1940. In this preface Desai notes that the book was originally published in two
volumes, the first in 1927 and second in 1929. He also mentions that the
original was priced at ₹1 (1.5¢ US)
and had a run of five editions by the time of the writing of his preface.
50,000 copies had been sold in Gujarati but since the English edition was
expensive it prevented Indians from purchasing it. Desai notes the need to
bring out a cheaper English version. He also mentions that the translation has
been revised by an English scholar who did not want his name to be published.
Chapters XXIX-XLIII of Part V were translated by Desai's friend and colleague
Pyarelal.
