Question- Write about the famous book "Ignited Minds" of Kalam and its qualities.

Ans-

The Great Personality A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, his book 'Ignited Minds's introduction and his Essay "Patriotism Beyond Politics and Religion: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was one of India's most distinguished scientist. He was the 11th President of India and the recipient of the most prestigious Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan the Country's three highest civilian honours. Due to his great contribution in the field of space research and missile development, he came to be known as the "Missile Man of India". In spite of being such an eminent personality, he remained humane and humble throughout his life. Though he came from a poor family, he was a hard working and dedicated person, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning. He believed that every single person whom he met, can help him in learning something new. He narrates in his books, all his stimulating experiences with students, young people, teachers, scientists, politicians, saints and seers. According to an editorial of the prestigious e-newspaper "The Hindu", "More than as a scientist and a technocrat, Kalam will be remembered for his tenure as India's 11th president, when he moved the institution away from being merely formal and ceremonial in nature. He used the presidency as a platform to inspire youth, who were readily impressed by his earthy demeanour and discursive approach to public speaking". He was the only President of India who broke the tradition of his position, reached ordinary people, listened to their grievances and won their love and affection. That's why he is generally known as the "people's President". Dr. Abdul Kalam remained accessible to the youth. He tried to reach the youth of our country and inspired them to become responsible citizens of our country and to contribute something to its development. He always dreamt of making India as a developed country. Dr. Kalam used to say that if people will remember him as a good teacher that would be the utmost privilege for him. He had a firm belief in the tremendous potential of the youth of our country. He aimed at motivating India's people, especially its youth for the development of our country. According to Dr. Kalam, throughout his career in science and Technology, he had always counted upon the power and prospects of the youth. In his book Ignited Minds, he wrote, "My strength has been my young teams who never let me down. And what satisfaction there was in working with them on some of the most complex projects in some of the most challenging situations! given the freedom to achieve and guided properly. I an convinced the young of India can accomplish for more". (Ignited Minds, Preface ix-x). In his book Ignited Minds, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has discussed how the "untopped" potentials of the young people of India can be utilized properly to achieve the goal of making India a fully developed country. According to him, the young people have developed a subjugated and docile attitude. They very often settle for less than what they deserve. That is why in spite of having skills, resources and talents India is not that much prosperous and developed as it should have been. Through Ignited Minds, Dr. Kalam aimed to motivate the youth to "get back on the winning tack and unleash the energy within a nation that hasn't allowed itself full rein". In this book he has analyzed various issues that can accelerate the winning streak of today's youth. Kalam has stressed the importance of a role model in the life of children and youth. He points out that a person needs different role models in different stages of his life and how role models can help him to achieve success in personal front, professional life as well as in contributing something for our nation. He also adds how great teachers and scientists can ignite the young minds through their vision for the benefit of our country. Dr. Abdul Kalam always insisted the youth to dream, not only to dream but to dream big. He used to say, "Dream, dream, dream, dream transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action (Ignited Minds 1). But he also advised them to strengthen their spiritual wisdom. He believed that uploading the value system is as important as prosperity through wealth generation. India takes its pride in the slogan "Unity in Diversity". India has diverse geographical locations, regional diversity, cultural diversity, linguistic variations, ethnic diversity and diversity in religion. Religious diversity is one of the most conspicious spirits of Indian society. All types of religions of the world are found here like Hinduism, Buddhuism, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Islam and Sikkhism. But now-a-days, politics is overshadowing religious sentiments. Politician are using religion as a weapons to create a rift between people to secure their hats. But according to Dr. Abdul Kalam, diverse religions add new dimensions of the Indianess' (Ignited Minds, 115) of the people. He wrote, the greatest danger to our sense of unity and our sense at purpose comes from those ideologists who seek to divide the people. The Indian constitution bestows on all the citizens total equality under its projective umbrella "What is now cause for concern is the trend toward putting religious form over religious sentiments" (Ignited Mind, 115). He believed that for India to prosper what we need is just pure patriotism, beyond politics and religion. If all the people of India come together, leaving behind all forms of diversities to create a harmonious India, that will be our greatest strength. To make this vision turn into reality, the youth can play a major role.

Dr. Kalam had identified five areas where Indian youth can cater essential aptitude and these a together can create great opportunities for the development of India. These five areas are - Agriculture, Power, Education and Health Care, Information Technology and the Strategic sector. Since times immemorial India has always been considered as an agricultural country. Improvements in agricultural sector will ensure higher economic growth. Developments in education and health care will create scope for more and efficient manpower. Information technology sector is growing with passing of time and its further growth will accelerate the development process. Electric power yields energy security essential for the growth of all other sectors. Development in strategic sector, like nuclear, space and defence technology, are quite crucial for strengthening the power of our country. All these five areas, if developed in integration, will strengthien the backbone of our country and India would march ahead in the path of becoming a developed country.

According to Dr. Kalam's opinion, if something is at risk then "human mind gets ignited" (Ignited Minds, 177) and the quality of the work gets amplified. He used to advise the youth to remember that challenges guide us to opportunities. When one picks up a work, he should perform it with complete dedication and diligence without thinking of what the result would be. If he succeeds in the work, the success should act as an inspiration for future goals and if he fails, then the experience should be taken as a lesson for the next time. A person should not stop for trying because of failure rather. He should use them as stepping stones for their success in future endeavors. Hopes and aspirations must remain alive till the last breath as they motivate us to be successful in every sphere. He wrote in Ignited Minds, "The young especially has to be guided properly. So that their lives find a proper direction and their cretivity is allowed to flower." (Ignited Minds, 178) Kalam concluded the book with an excellent piece of poetry that brilliantly conveys to the young minds the message, he wished to impart it is not only a poem but looks more like a pledge. It seems as if Kalam, through this poem, wanted the youth of India to take this pledge and work according to it. This poem inteads to ignite the young souls of India and motivate them to work towards a greater vision - the vision of making India a developed country. The poem is tilted, "song of youth" (Ignited Minds, 196): "As a young citizen of India, armed with technology, knowledge and love for my nation, I realize small aim is a crime, I will work and sweat for a great vision, the vision of transforming India into a developed nation powered by economic stength with value system. I am one of the citizens of a billon, only the vision will ignite the billion souls. It has entered into me, the ignited soul compared to any resource, is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. I will keep the lamp of knowledge burning to achieve Developed India." This "song of youth" shows how strong faith Kalam had on the youth of his country. He believed that it is the youth who has the power to change the future of our country and fulfil his dream of making India a developed country. He visited schools and colleges in different parts of the country to spread the message that the youth should prepare themselves to make India as a developed nation, "Ignite your mind and think big" (Ignited Minds, 187) was the .

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