APJ_Abdul_KalamA.P.J Abdul Kalam the 11th President of India passed away on July 27th at the age of 83. He was an inspiration to India. He was the first President of India who was a Scientist. He transcended many boundaries during his presidency. He was called the people’s President for a reason. He was prolific in expecting more out of India and to have dreams, to have a vision and the commitment and hard work to achieve them. Visionary leaders like him are hard to come by. I did not take the time to read all the books that he has written. I was so impressed to find out that he has written a total of 30 books. I just got Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam. I plan to read all the books he has written. I think some of the most inspiring quotes from him are:

Don’t declare a holiday on my death. Instead work an extra day if you love me.

He was instrumental in getting the Indian Nuclear program launched and also build valuable Indian nuclear and rocket technology. I hope his legacy carries on as it relates to Space, Rocket and Nuclear technology in India. He inspired the young generation in India to think big and take on bold challenges. He was big on Entrepreneurship and building companies.

The youth need to be enabled to become job generators from job seekers.

Since he was also a professor and teacher, he was vocal in trying to getting educational institutions to build entrepreneurs and leaders. The picture above of him was captured when he was delivering a lecture in Birla Institute of Technology and Science, my alma mater.

Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.

Reading his biography, I get a sense of the story of modern India. How a small town boy worked his way to become the President of India based solely on his intellectual ability, humility, perseverance and hard work. This is the modern India that many of us believe in.

List of books written by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:

  1. Transcendence My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji
  2. Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Better Future
  3. The Guiding Light: A Selection of Quotations from My Favourite Books
  4. Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India
  5. The Righteous Life: The Very Best of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
  6. Forge Your Future
  7. Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow’s India
  8. A Manifesto For Change: A Sequel to India 2020
  9. Governance for Growth in India
  10. Squaring the Circle:Seven Steps to Indian Renaissance
  11. My Journey: Transforming Dreams Into Actions
  12. Indomitable Spirit
  13. Thoughts for Change: We Can Do it
  14. Bharat 2020
  15. You are Unique: Scale New Heights by Thoughts and Actions
  16. Turning Points : A Journey Through Challenges
  17. Inspiring Thoughts
  18. Target 3 Billion: Innovative Solutions Towards Sustainable Development
  19. The Scientific Indian: The Twenty-First Century Guide to the World Around Us
  20. Spirit Of India
  21. Evolution of Enlightened Societies
  22. Children Ask Kalam
  23. Mission India: A Vision of Indian Youth
  24. Guiding Souls (dialogues on the purpose of life)
  25. The Life Tree: Poems
  26. India-my-dream: An Interactive Lectures Series Agenda for the Nation
  27. Envisioning an Empowered Nation: Technology for Societal Transformation
  28. Scientist to President
  29. Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India
  30. India 2020