Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India [Paperback]

A.P.J Abdul Kalam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

When A.P.J. Abdul Kalam wrote India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium with Y.S. Rajan in 1998, little did they expect the magnitude of the response they would get. The idea that India could actually be a developed nation in a short time rather than remain condemned to a subsistence diet of marginal improvements and promises struck a chord among readers. The book continues to be a bestseller.

Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India goes the logical next step and examines why, given all our skills, resources and talents, we, so obviously capable of being the best, settle so often for the worst. What is it that we as a nation are missing? For at the heart of Ignited Minds is an irresistible premise: the people of a nation have the power, by dint of hard work, to realize their dream of a truly good life.

Kalam offers no formulaic prescription in Ignited Minds. Instead, he takes up different issues and themes that struck him on his pilgrimage around the country as he met thousands of school children, teachers, scientists and saints and seers in the course of two years: the necessity for a patriotism that transcends religion and politics; for role models who point out the path to take; and for confidence in ourselves and in our strengths.

Who was he to write on so large a theme, he wondered as he started writing this book. But at the end, Kalam's humility notwithstanding, this may well prove to be the book that motivates us to get back on the winning track and unleash the energy within a nation that hasn't allowed itself full rein.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Ignited Minds will fire the minds of the young to whom it is primarily addressed.' -- Khushwant Singh in Outlook

'[Ignited Minds] should be in every school bag and on the desktop of every parliamentarian, bureaucrat and industrialist in [India].' -- Wilson John in Pioneer

About the Author

The author is currently the President of India.

Born on 15th October 1931 at Rameswaram, in Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalam specialised in Aero Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. He initially worked in DRDO in 1958 and then joined ISRO in 1963. As project Director, SLV-III, he contributed for the design, development and management of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) to inject Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit. He was responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicles programme and configurations. He rejoined DRDO in 1982 and conceived the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) for indigenous missiles. He was Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999.

Dr Kalam has made significant contribution to Indian satellite and launch vehicles. Through SLV-III and Guided Missile Programme, a solid foundation has been laid for indigenous design and development of high technology aerospace projects. As Chairman, Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), which generated the Technology Vision 2020 documents, he provided overall guidance to a number of Homegrown Technology Projects and major technology missions such as Sugar, Advanced composites and fly ash utilization.

Dr Kalam has served as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in the rank of Cabinet Minister, from November 1999 to November 2001, He was primarily responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for generation of innovations and support systems for multiple applications. Also, generating science and technology task in strategic, economic and social sectors in partnership with Government departments, institutions and industry. Dr Kalam was also the Chairman, Ex-officio, of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C).

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Global (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143029827
• ISBN-13: 978-0143029823
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST read for children of East Indian descent., December 10, 2002

By 

Bob (Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (Hardcover)

This book is inspiring and full of hope for India. As an Indian, it reminds me who we are and what we are capable of. Dr. Abdul Kalam is the current president of India, father of India's satellite and missile technology.

However, his passion is to ignite young minds. I have heard that even now, with his busy schedule as the president of the largest democracy, he spends much of his time teaching young people both in person and via the Internet. I understand he has a goal of personally meeting 100,000 students. I believe he is more than half way there.

My daughter has ADD. When she picked up this book she read 80 pages in one morning. To my knowledge, this is the fastest she has ever read any book. This book inspired her and I'm sure it will inspire any teenager.

I encourage parents of East Indian origin or anyone who cares about India or wants to know about India, to read this book and encourage their children to read it. This book shouldn't just sell briskly, it should be flying off the shelves. Lets ignite the minds of our next generation, who can and will make a difference.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreams, Thoughts and Action., August 1, 2003

By 

B.Sudhakar Shenoy (India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (Paperback)

This book is a powerful message to all Indians especially the youth. Dr Kalam's vision of a developed India, his stress on technological and scientific engines to propel us into a higher orbit in the new millennium is well known. In this book, Dr Kalam is on mission mode - to ignite the passion in the minds of our children to achieve this vision. His numerous interactions with school children, political leaders, saints, scholars and industrialists have a common theme- India can do it.

India is a land of cultural and religious diversity and the world's largest democracy. The challenge is to harness this diversity and channelise our energies in nation building. Great leaders of all religions seem to be in perfect agreement on this. I was moved by an example Dr Kalam has cited in this book. In the southern Indian town of Kanchipuram, there exist a mosque and a Hindu mutt side by side. When there was a move to shift the mosque further away to reduce congestion , the Hindu saint vehemently protested - "In fact , when at 4:30 AM the call for namaz comes from the mosque, it acts as a wake-up call for my divine duties". This is the message the nation needs most at this moment.

This book to some extent repeats from "Wings of Fire" and "India 2020". But to me it is not repetition, but reinforcement. The challenge to remove poverty by 2010 and achieve the status of a developed nation by 2020 is no simple task. This is a call to all Indians to join forces in this great mission.

On 30 September 2001, Dr Kalam narrowly escaped unhurt in a helicopter crash. This event seems to have had a strong impact on his mind , resulting in greater vigor and resolve to accomplish his mission . God has been kind to him and to us the citizens of India, in saving this noble man and assigning him the responsibility to the highest office of this country.

"Dream, Dream, Dream
Dreams transform into thoughts
And thoughts result in action."

The time for action in NOW.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, December 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (Hardcover)

APJ Abdul Kalam, is a spokesperson for the collective desires of the people of India. In this simple book, he writes in lucid words, what Indians want for their country.

This small book puts the goal of a developed India in the hearts and minds of its people.

APJ Abdul Kalam, now the President of India is a living example that decent, honest, people can still suceed. His books are a refreshing read to any Indian.