29 December, 2012

A P J Abdul Kalam - Wings of Fire

My scientist friend Jomy Joseph told me about this book first. For him, it was the most inspirational book ever read and he keeps a copy with him always, even on his travel abroad,  along with his bible! I heard similar stories from others too. That's how I read it this book for the first time, it was a few years back. Now when I picked it again, I found the content and meaning of this book in a new level, new light... And the book still at it best in inspiration...


It definitely is not a story of an underdog becoming a hero. He was able from day one, it is the story how he made it big. Following his dreams, turn it to reality, against all the odds. This is more of an inspiration. Inspiration for not to be a super hero, but to become more human. Successful, yet humble. At the top of position yet available to all.

I liked the way he see dreams. Dream more and work to make the dream real. Most importantly he talks about the dreams we see with open eyes ;) The day-dreams, something I consider myself good at :D

Throughout the book he mentions about the  politics and bureaucracy interfering with his work. He feels tired and almost angry about them. Still he is not giving a solution. his opinion or told us how he overcame it. His idea of let it go will work ? Though he told his anger and frustration when he had to let his favorite projects like the hovercraft mission go, he is not letting it stop his dreams. He takes them to a new project, new task and tries his best to give it all... Hhhmm...

The best part of the book is its presentation. Though most of the book has mention of technical terms and machines, it never gets out of hand. I mean he only gives what is needed and gives it in simple language to understand. So even if we won't understand the technicalities of rocket engine, we know what was the challenge he faced and how his team was able to overcome it... It is the journey that matters. That the book is all about. That we want to take with us to implement in our journeys... And it is presented just brilliant...

When flipping through it, I felt like he is missing family... At times, the great teacher, scientist, inventor, rocketman, simply becomes mere human and feels like he is missing wife, kids and all... Did you feel it...

The inspiring book is full of wisdom lines :) They are presented as they made / taught by life and not as enlightened philosophy, which makes it dearer and never preachy... They are not all about the things he learned while executing the missions, but on his daily life too... They are not all about visions, but about life too... Let me share a few :

* What you imagine, is what you transpire.What you believe is what you achieve.
* A good plan executed violently right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week.
* Once your mind stretches to a new level, it never goes back to its original dimension.
* Adversities always presents opportunities for introspection.
* We all are born with divine fire in us.Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with glow of its goodness.
* If you want to leave your footprints in the sands of time, do not drag your feet.
* To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces – desire, belief and expectation.
* Bread baked without love is a bitter bread that feeds but half a man’s hunger.
* A big shot is a little shot who keeps on shooting, so keep trying.
* Dreams are not those which comes while we are sleeping, but dreams are those you don't sleep before fulfilling them.

1 comment:

  1. This is a must read for every Indian who would love to know the level of advancement in India. The life of Kamal is the story of every typical Indian who is born as Indian and struggles their way up to the position he gained. It describes the humility and calmness he had and the excellent choices he made that made him the man he is today!! The book is easy to read by almost anybody who can read and uses a very clean and fluent language!

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