പുസ്തക പരിചയം

 Ignited Minds

"Dream, dream, dream… Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action" 

             - Dr APJ Abdul kalam (Ignited minds)

Ignited Minds is a beautiful book authored by late shri  Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and also known as the Missile Man of India for his work in development of missiles and launch vehicles. In this book Dr. Kalam talks about his dream of developed India. The title of the book comes with a tag-line, “Unleashing the power within India”. Dr Kalam was a visionary who saw a vast potential in the youth to bring out the best for the country. He believed in investing in the young to reap fruits for our Mother India.  

The book presents a vision plan to take the nation forward, toward a glorious future. It inspires the readers, particularly the young ones, and ignites their minds to strive for a new and better India.

The strength of this book by Dr. Kalam is that it has been written in an easy to understand language, where he presents some of the most difficult issues our country is facing today in a very simple way. The book successfully captivates the reader’s attention from the first page itself. It begins with the inspiring dialog between five great personalities of the world, namely Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Emperor Asoka, Abraham Lincoln, and Caliph Omar. The discussion takes place in Kalam’s dream. He takes inspiration from their talks in order to find solutions for contemporary problems like faltering economy or rampaging poverty. India has had a history of overcoming ghosts of imperialism, invasion etc. Even though there were times of muted struggle, India forged and retained its natural and unique identity. It instantly taps into one’s consciousness and reinforces the importance of self-realization. Dr. Kalam explains how we should let our inner energy guide us through difficult situations in life. 

He proclaims that India needs its young minds to unleash their potential for good. They need to develop scientific temper and a spirit of enquiry to convert a resource rich nation into a smarter and happier nation. Here lies the important of exemplary personalities and healthy role models. Often, young people chart out their courses looking at someone they admire. They try to emulate their achievements even though everyone has their own story to write. In the process, they lay the foundation to a different future of the entire nation they form and generate.

'Ignited minds' is divided into nine chapters, each concerning a specific theme. These themes range from spirituality and patriotism to scientific learning and a knowledge society. Each chapter begins with a quote and ends with a summary giving the reader something to think about. 

In these chapters,  Dr kalam talks about his experiences and interactions with people from different spheres of the society, including school and college students, eminent scientists,  religious leaders, politicians, visionaries, saints and industrialists. 

The book gives inspiration to the youth of India to dream and to believe that what they dream can be true. He also highlights the qualities that the Indian society at large needs to acquire and adopt.  Dr. Kalam questions the attitude of Indians to settle down with limited achievements without utilising our full potential – resources, talent and skills and points out the lack of world competitiveness. He urges the youth of the country to reach for the stars in their personal and professional lives. 

'Ignited minds'  is a suitable read for people of all age groups. Each chapter contains stories from the life of late Shri Kalam. These stories go a long way in instilling a sense of confidence and a feeling of oneness in the readers. He highlights some of the critical issues faced by the country in a simple, concise manner. This makes it easy for young readers to comprehend them.

Dr. Kalam in the end urges the people of India to unite and to work with a mission. And to see India as a developed nation by 2020,  Dr. Kalam has shown a direction which involves industry-laboratory, suitable policies and administrative methods. Because India can only be developed if all, that is, institutions, political parties, industries, communities, families and individuals take responsibility of developing India. The book ends with a song for the youth about the vision for the developed nation bringing out the patriotism and encouraging to dream of a better and developed India.

It is no exaggeration to say that each word in the book is an inspiration for readers, old and young alike.  All in all, Ignited minds can also be seen as Kalam’s vision document - a road map - for the splendid future of India.

                                                  - Sania K J