Wings of Fire

Summary
HS 101
November 2016
CSE and IT Batches

Introduction: General Understanding of Book:

Wings of Fire is a tome intended to inspire a pedestrian into developing a knack for
technology. Penned by the eleventh President of India, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the
autobiography, co-authored with Arun Tiwari, casts a scrutinizing glance at the
emphatic life and the vicissitudes Kalam experienced before he went on to become
a primary name in Indian space research, nuclear and missile programs.
The book is a tale of rare fortitude of a man who strived to “seek and find” like
Tennyson’s Ulysses, and never to yield. In his well composed personal narrative,
Kalam vivisects his own life with the precision of a neurosurgeon performing
abscission on his subject. The subject, in this case, comprises the delicate personal
details of his life, his family background, his humble beginning and eventual rise to
fame. Laden with the intellectual charisma of Kalam, the book also gives an insight
into the intercommunal ties between Hindus and Muslims of India. Against the
background of general post-partition subcontinental communal stereotypes, Kalam
sees himself as a determined patriot with deep nationalist sentiment and love for
his country.
Wings of Fire is an account of a young Kalam trying to fulfill his dreams despite
the odds that surround him. The book is crafted as if following the dictates of
Freytag’s pyramid with neatly packed five stages of plot presented with precision.
Nevertheless, there is no artificiality in the general plot or the outline of the story.
The exposition emphasizes the importance of dreaming as an inextricable aspect of
mental and creative growth. The book underlines the importance of family and
friends as building blocks helping a person achieve his ultimate goal in life.
Further, the personal narrative teaches us to nurture a deep love for the territorial
sanctity of one’s country. The patriotic paragon in Kalam directs our attention to
the efforts of India’s scientific talents toward achieving superiority in aeronautical
and space and rocket technology. The nationalistic spirit of the book is undeniably
potent. Laden with patriotic positivism, the book represents the roles of renowned
scientists toward technological advancement and the uncertainties experienced by
the scientific members of Indian space and rocket infrastructural programs. It
stresses on the accomplishments of one’s life’s goals and motivates the reader to
fulfil her promise of making her country proud.
In many ways, Wings of Fire is a stimulating read intended to coach its reader to
learn to tread the unbeaten path, be self-motivated, jettison inhibition and play a
conspicuous role in life.
Aside from being the life-narrative of one of the most popular Indian presidents,
the book casts an interesting light in the field of military and defense research, and
Kalam’s experience in the line. His vision for India’s scientific ideology and his
astute understanding of the socio-economic dynamics gives the book an impressive
aura. The leniency and simplicity of his writing too strikes a chord with the reader
as she feel engrossed in the professional and personal fluctuations a man in the
highest office of Indian state witnessed.
The Four Sections:
Separated into four sections—Orientation, Creation, Propitiation and
Contemplation—the book is dedicated to the humble parents of the president. The
first segment relates to the early life of Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Kalam. His
recollections of the early days are very suggestive of halcyon charm. He
remembers his parents, relatives and teachers his most influential characters in the
book. Adding color to the section are pictures of that time. This segment covers all
his early learning and travels.
The next segment is associated to Dr. Kalam's higher academic practice and work
experience and his participation in projects of military defense and space, primarily
the SLV3. This section is imbued with scientific details and is an introduction to
defense and space research organizations. Kalam is a humble human at heart, this
is shown in the book in many of his narratives through his interaction with myriad
names like Dr Brahm prakash, Prof Satish Dhawan and Prof Vikram Sarabhai.
The third segment covers the years from nineteen-eighty-nineteen ninety-one when
Kalam was transferred from ISRO to military defense laboratory. Filled with many
memorable snapshots, this section too keeps us enthralled. And to imagine he
worked mostly in government institutions where bureaucracy and red tapes are the
order of the day. This section deals with the scientist's journey toward becoming
the "Missile Man of India". It is important for casting a light on Kalam’s excellent
leadership qualities and his starring role in developing up the Guided Missile
Development Program. In this phase of the life, Kalam was responsible for the
development of the five missiles – Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag, Agni.
The ultimate section is related to the later years of Kalam’s life when he received a
series of awards. It also includes his thought and his visions for a proud India. It is
almost impossible not to be inspired by the life of Dr. Kalam. This segment along
with the conclusion also mentions of Kalam’s dream for the year 2020.
The book itself is written in simple English and it seems as if the author is directly
communicating with his reader via the medium of written text. The unpretentious
nature of the text, the latent humility in the writer’s voice and the excellent
narrative quality of interesting scientific and technological advancements that
Kalam deals with in the book makes it a memorable read.
Finally, the book deserves to be read for the following reasons –First, it is the story
of India's greatest scientist, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam's story, his experience with
lesser known military and defense research, missile technology, India's vital space
programs and general knowledge. Secondly, throughout the book there are morals
tan virtues that motivate a mind with its optimistic inculcations. Finally, the book
offers us a rare opportunity to probe the mind of one if the finest intellectuals of
our time. His ideas, his vision of a scientifically empowered India, Abdul Kalam
suggest why the moniker India’s ‘spiritual scientist', is befitting for Kalam.