“I was born in to a middle-class Tamil family in the island town of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras state.” This beginning of this autobiography of Abdul Kalam is as modest as the great man himself.
The stimulating contents flow directly from the heart of a great soul. If one reads the book, they may come across four divisions namely orientation, creation, propitiation and contemplation. This classification is based on time. Many people have already rated this book as inspirational. The whole world knows that it is all about SLV-3 and Agni missile programmes. The other open secret is that Dr. Kalam also shares his involvement in the departments of space, defence research and atomic energy.
This self-confessed technology man’s profound greatness would be understood if one studies the book. For, he himself denies Agni as just a missile programme, he cannot be just a missile man. I need to admit my inability to view this book as just a missile development or a motivation manual. For someone like me, Rocket Science is undeniably rocket science.
The quotes by Louis Carroll, Bernard Shaw, and extracts from Veda, Bhagwad Gita and the holy Koran glorify this misunderstood masterpiece. Around 24 photographs are exhibited to facilitate the visualization of readers.
Here is a master, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whose greatness extends beyond the post of President of a nation, awards like Bharat Ratna, (not mentioned in this book) Padma Vibushan, Padma bushan or honourary doctorates from Anna and Jadhavpur universities.
Abdul Kalam's emotional intelligence and persistence are of a rare kind. Kalam is the lesson himself. Learn him. “Blessed are the meek, for they inherit the world”, claims Bible.
This book is a rare treasure, for it unveils a child’s craving, project management, a new leadership of trust, a noble soul’s compassion, work as a meditation, a chaste poetical mind, economic and social configuration of India and an absolute surrender of a disciple.
Even if this book covers a lot about missile projects,in my humble opinion the title “Wings of Fire” is a misnomer.