From a small boy growing up in Rameswaram, to becoming the country’s eleventh President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s life has been a tale of extraordinary determination, courage, perseverance and the desire to excel. In this series of anecdotes and profiles, Dr Kalam looks back on key moments in his past—some small and some momentous—and tells the reader how each of them inspired him profoundly. With warmth and affection, he talks about the people who left a deep impression on him as he was growing up and as an adult, and the lessons he drew from his interactions with them. He describes those who have been the closest to him—his father with his deep love of God, his mother and her great kindness, his mentors who helped shape his thoughts and outlook. There are heart-warming accounts here of his childhood years spent in a small town by the Bay of Bengal and the many struggles and sacrifices made on the path to becoming a scientist and then the President of India. Dr Kalam also writes about the times when failure and dejection nearly overtook him and how he prevailed over those obstacles by drawing strength from books and spirituality.
This was one such book that I deliberately read a little slow. Two stories a day at the max. Having read "Wings on fire" thrice already , and some more articles on this inspiring man , the stories offered another peek into this genius's life. It offered me was hope , strength , the values and character of a person so respected and mostly it offers a glimpse into the old times when people knew the importance of a good education system , fair and peaceful co-existence of religions and to know of people who are so ordinary to us but yet make an everlating mark on the people known to them.
I was moved to tears at many instances , as I read of Dr Kalam's family's struggles and then at the failures he mentions so honestly and yet with a resolution that he shall overcome all these with hard work and faith in himself.
This is a book to be read and read frequently , atleast at every point of time when you face failure and want to give up.
The illustrations by Priya Sebestian add so much grace and beauty to every story that it kind of transports you in to that moment.
You can read an extract of the book here
For the sake of your emotions and thoughts , some books should be read one story at a time.
This was one such book that I deliberately read a little slow. Two stories a day at the max. Having read "Wings on fire" thrice already , and some more articles on this inspiring man , the stories offered another peek into this genius's life. It offered me was hope , strength , the values and character of a person so respected and mostly it offers a glimpse into the old times when people knew the importance of a good education system , fair and peaceful co-existence of religions and to know of people who are so ordinary to us but yet make an everlating mark on the people known to them.
I was moved to tears at many instances , as I read of Dr Kalam's family's struggles and then at the failures he mentions so honestly and yet with a resolution that he shall overcome all these with hard work and faith in himself.
This is a book to be read and read frequently , atleast at every point of time when you face failure and want to give up.
The illustrations by Priya Sebestian add so much grace and beauty to every story that it kind of transports you in to that moment.
You can read an extract of the book here
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep reading, keep suggesting, keep commenting