Book Summary: "Wings Of Fire An Autobiography" by Arun Tiwari & A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Happy Sunday,

Brief about the Book:

The book includes many stories and experiences from his childhood, school, and college years. He wrote extensively about his time at the Langley Research Center, NASA, and Wallops flight facility.

Personal tragedies are not ignored in this book. He has written extensively on the moment he lost his father and his struggles as a student from an economically backward family.

He has written about his achievements in developing ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology. As well as how he felt when he received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan.

Dr Kalam is a scientist who made a substantial contribution to the development of the country’s guided missile program, a pioneering endeavour for national security. He was dubbed the ‘Missile Man of India’ due to his contribution to space research.

Book publication date: January 1999.

Brief about the Author:

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam:- Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was the eleventh President of India (2002-2007) and is known as “THE MISSILE MAN OF INDIA” within and outside India.

Being a great Aerospace Scientist, he was a great politician too. Dr Kalam spent his early years in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Later he moved to Ramnathpuram and Chennai for higher studies.

He studied physics and aerospace engineering and worked as a scientist at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

As a human, Dr Kalam has been benevolent throughout his life. We find him keen to learn and grow. He did not have in himself a tinge of pride.

Dr. Kalam possessed a sense of compassion and gratitude for whosoever crossed his path. Not only did science but he also delved into literature.

Dr. Kalam held profound affection for his motherland. The support and blessings of his family, friends and mentors allowed him to step up. He received many prestigious awards including Padma Bhushan and Bharata Ratna Award.

On 27 July 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management (Shillong), he collapsed and left for the heavens.

Arun Tiwari:- Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in 1955, Arun Tiwari did his Master's in Mechanical Engineering from GB Pant University and joined the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) at Hyderabad as a missile scientist in 1982 reporting to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Under Dr Kalam’s tutelage, he developed India’s first Titanium air bottle used in Trishul and Akash missiles and designed Airframes for both missiles; developed India’s first Coronary Stent with Cardiologist Dr. B Soma Raju known as Kalam-Raju Stent; set up the first link of Pan-Africa e-Network that now connects Universities and Hospitals across the African continents with their Indian counterparts, and finally became Dr. Kalam’s co-author and spiritual pupil.

Wings of Fire- Book Review

1. Orientation: The Wings of Fire throws light on the life of Dr Kalam. The story of a dreamer, who rose from rags to riches. The division of the text into four segments helps the reader to understand each section in a better way. The first segment deals with the childhood of the visionary. The author holds immense respect for his family, friends and mentors. The walk with Ahmed Jalaluddin is among the best memories of his childhood.

Dr Kalam earned his first wages with the help of his cousin Samsuddin. The depiction of close-knit relations among people of different religions is pleasing. Once at school, Kalam became a victim of religious bigotry. The new teacher asked Kalam not to sit with a Hindu boy. The teacher was later, made to apologize.

Another teacher of Kalam invited him for dinner at his place. The teacher’s wife denied serving a Muslim boy in her holy kitchen. Kalam was then, served the food by his teacher. The teacher called him again for dinner. This time the wife of the teacher served the meal to him. Dr. Kalam’s mother inculcated in his kindness and faith in good. He inherited from his father self-discipline and honesty. His sister sold her gold jewellery to pay his fees. People around Kalam were noble and kind. They believed in the little seagull who aimed at flying.

2. Creation: This segment of Wings of Fire includes Kalam’s further education and work experience. At Ramnathpuram, his faculty Professor Iyer made him understand the importance of desire, belief and hope. After completing his Bachelor's in Physics in 1950, he discovered that physics did not interest him. He moved to Chennai and enrolled himself at Madras Institute of Technology. Dr Kalam studied Aerospace engineering and worked as a trainee engineer at Hindustan Aeronautical Limited. He was interviewed for both the Air Force and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production, DTD&P(Air), at the Ministry of Defense. His dream of flying was shattered. The rejection from the Air Force left him numb. He met Swami Sivananda who told him to believe in the journey and keep moving ahead.

A few years later, the transfer to ADE in Bangalore offered him the designation of director. There, he worked at Project Nandi. Professor Sarabhai took his interview at ICSR. Professor Sarabhai influenced Kalam the most. He served as a rocket engineer at ICSR. In 1962, NASA welcomed Dr Kalam for training in rocket launching. Launched on 21 November 1963 the first Indian Rocket brought success to him. Under the supervision of Professor Vikram Sarabhai, Kalam headed the project of a Satellite Launch Vehicle. The demise of Professor Sarabhai left Kalam in a state of utter shock. Dr Kalam titled him as the Father of Indian Science. The project of SLV brought disappointment to him. The successful launch of SLV took place on 18 July 1980.

3. Propitiation: These last two sections provide us with a picture of an established Kalam. He receives many awards during this tenure. Dr. Kalam feels agitated when he does not find his father, mother, Jalaluddin, and Prof. Sarabhai to celebrate his achievements. He envisions a technologically developed India. He toils day and night to make his dream come true. The third section covers the years between 1980 to 1991. After many struggles, Kalam was appointed as a Director of DRDL in 1982.

Anna University, Madras confers the honorary degree of Doctor of Science on him. With the successful development of Ballistic Missiles, he gains the title of Missile Man of India.

The government of India honoured him with Padma Bhushan on 26 January 1981. The twenty-four picture plates keep a reader entertained. Dr Kalam’s contribution to some important technological developments is noteworthy. As a rocket scientist, he worked for the triumphant launch of SLV3, AGNI, TRISHUL, AKASH and NAG missiles.

4. Contemplation: The later years of Kalam’s life. Dr Brahm Prakash played an important role in shaping his leadership skills. Dr Kalam held respect and integrity for his seniors. He mentions his vision for a proud India. He attains many honours and awards for his performance and talks about his dream for the year 2020.

Looks back on Dr Kalam’s life and the lessons he learned along the way. He shares his thoughts on leadership, education, and the role of science and technology in society.

In the epilogue, we get details about his three major scientific establishments. These establishments are Space, Defense Research and Atomic Energy.

Conclusion: ‘Wings of Fire’ demonstrates how a person from a humble background becomes the first citizen of a nation of one billion people. This book contains something for everyone and can benefit every Indian who has a vision for a bright future. ‘Wings of Fire’ is an extensive explanation of how great things can be accomplished by working hard and doing your best.

Learning: Dr Kalam’s remarkable autobiography ‘The Wings of Fire’ chronicles his life’s ascension from humble origins in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu to serving as President of India.

Wings of Fire is best suited for high school and college students who Desire to Dream, Dare, and Achieve all of their life goals.

It shows how a person from a low-income family becomes the first citizen of a nation of one billion people.

Arun Tiwari

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