patriotism beyond politics and religion essay

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Patriotism beyond Politics and Religion by APJ Abdul Kalam

"I do not care for liberation, I would rather go to a hundred thousand hells, ‘doing good to others (silently) like the spring’, this is my religion."

Swami Vivekananda

Walking has been an essential part of my life. Wherever I go I make it a point to walk five kilometres in the morning. I am particularly attached to seeing the beauty of the sunrise, the light that precedes its arrival and my ears are tuned to the songs that birds sing to welcome the dawning of a new day on this planet. Each time I experience these phenomena–the cool breeze, the singing of the birds and the arrival of the sun–I am filled with awe at how nature brings together all the elements that go into making this moment possible and feel thankful to God.

I have been fortunate in that my work has taken me to very many beautiful places that opened up my mind to the cosmic reality. One such was Chandipur in Orissa.

From Kolkata, the distance to Balasore is around 234 km and Chandipur is 16 km from the town. The name means the abode of the Goddess Chandi or Durga. The beach here is surely among the finest in India. At low tide the water recedes three kilometres as the tides follow their rhythmic cycle.

The lonely beach, the whispering of tamarisk trees and the cool breeze create a feeling of extraordinary calm. I used to walk on the beach to the mouth of the river Suwarnarekha. The river’s vast spread and the bewitching, ceaseless ripples of its water were hypnotic in their effect. It was a feeling as close to bliss as I have ever felt.

We started test-firing our missiles from the Sriharikota Range of ISRO but needed our own missile test range. The Interim Test Range (ITR) was established in 1989 as a dedicated range for launching missiles, rockets and flight test vehicles. A number of missiles of different class including the multirole Trishul, multi-target capable Akash, the anti-tank Nag missile, the surfaceto-surface missile Prithvi, and the long-range technology demonstrator Agni have been test-fired from the ITR. BrahMos, the Indo-Russian joint venture set up to develop supersonic cruise missiles, has also been tested at this range. The ITR has also supported a number of other missions such as testing of the multibarrel rocket launcher Pinaka and the pilotless aircraft Lakshya.

The ITR has also been made capable for testing airborne weapons and systems with the help of sophisticated instrumentation. Thrust areas include tracking long-range missiles, air defence missile systems, weapons systems delivered by the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), multi-target weapon systems and high acceleration manoeuvrable missiles.

The ITR extends 17 km along the seacoast where a number of tracking instruments have been deployed along the flight path of the test vehicles. Some of the significant test facilities at the ITR are a mobile and fixed electro-optical tracking system, mobile S-band tracking radar, fixed C-band tracking radar, fixed and mobile telemetry system, range computer, photo processing system, meteorological system and range safety systems. An expert system has been developed for aiding safety decisions during launch. The ITR is slowly but surely growing into a world-class range.

It was a hot and humid midnight sometime in July 1995. We were going through the results of the fourth consecutive successful flight of Prithvi. People’s faces were lit up with success. There was a mood of celebration. More than thirty of us, representing 1,200 hard-working team members, were pondering over the question–what next? Lt. Gen. Ramesh Khosla, Director General Artillery, suggested that the Army needed a flight test on a land range with the accuracy of impact at the final destination within 150 meters. This is called Circular Error Probability (CEP) in technical terms.

We opened a geographical map of India. There were five tiny dots at a distance of 70 to 80 km from ITR. These are the Wheeler Islands. We could not go to the Rajasthan desert for obvious reasons. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are far away. At 2.00 a.m. we decided that Wheeler Islands were the right choice for the missile impact test. Now the search for a suitable island started. A helicopter was used to survey the area. Someone proposed asking the fishermen to guide us to the islands.

My two colleagues, Saraswat and Salwan, drove to a place called Dhamra. From Dhamra, they hired a boat for the day for Rs. 250. By the time they reached the island it was almost dark. Salwan had carried fruits for eating during the journey but these eventually became their dinner. There was no option but to stay on the island. It was a beautiful night but my friends, neither familiar with the sea nor used to being marooned on a deserted island, spent it rather fearfully–though they won’t confess it and claim instead that they enjoyed it. Early the next morning, they began their survey of the island, which is about 3 km long and 800 metres wide. To their surprise, they saw on the eastern side of the island a Bangladesh flag flying atop a tree with huts nearby. The island was probably frequented by fishermen from the neighbouring country. My friends quickly removed the flag.

Things moved fast thereafter. The district authorities, including forest and environment officers, visited the island. Soon after, I got the Defence Minister’s clearance to acquire the islands. The formalities were gone through with the Orissa government and the forest department to transfer the land. I personally met the concerned senior officials to make the file move to the desk of the Chief Minister. I also wrote a detailed letter to the Chief Minister explaining why we needed the islands for DRDO work, specially for use as a range for experimental purposes.

We had already done preparatory work before moving the application. There were typical questions about fishing activity in the vicinity, the disturbance that might be caused to turtle migration and above all the cost of the islands. Within ten days we got an appointment from the Chief Minister. I had heard a lot about Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, particularly about his days as a pilot and his friendship with President Sukarno. When I entered the Chief Minister’s chambers with Maj. Gen. K.N. Singh and Salwan, he welcomed us warmly. To me he exclaimed, ‘Oh my friend Kalam, I have followed your work from the time of Dr Sarabhai to now. Whatever you ask, I will give.’ In my presence he signed the Orissa government’s decision to give to DRDO all the four islands and said, ‘Kalam, I have given the approval you asked for, I know you will use it well. Your mission–the missile programme–is very important to the country.

Anything needed from Orissa will be yours.’ Then, suddenly, he held me and gave me a very affectionate hug. He said in a demanding tone, ‘Kalam, you have to give me a promise and assurance to the nation. The day India makes its own ICBM, I shall be stronger as an Indian.’ There was silence. I had to respond immediately. Biju Patnaik was a man with a tremendous personality and deeply impressive as a leader too, one whose love for the nation transcended politics. I looked straight into his eyes and said, ‘Sir, we will work for your mission. I will discuss your thought in Delhi.’

Some forty years ago, the daredevil Biju Patnaik piloted his Kalinga Airways plane into Jakarta to find Indonesian President Sukarno in the first flush of fatherhood. Sukarno’s wife had delivered a baby, and the family was searching for a name for the newborn girl when Bijuda called on them.

Sukarno explained the problem on hand to the visitor from India. Biju Patnaik cast his mind back to the clouds that had greeted the baby’s arrival and suggested the Sanskrit equivalent for them. Sukarno’s daughter was promptly christened Megawati and thus the daughter of the leader of the world’s largest Muslim nation got a Hindu name. For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.

Many years later, after several political upheavals, Megawati Sukarnoputri would become first the Vice President and then the President of Indonesia.

Lament, my friend, at the passing away of a generation of politicians with a voice, vision and reach that went far beyond our borders. Lament at our State-sponsored, abnormal and paranoid fixation with a particular country that has blinded us to the rest of the world, including the Third World, which we used to head not so long ago. And weep softly at what we have reduced ourselves to in the comity of nations. For a large country with a billion people, a country with a thriving industry and a large pool of scientific talent, a country, moreover, that is a nuclear power, India does not count for as much as it should. In terms of our influence in world affairs, probably no other country is so far below its potential as we are.

After Pokhran II, the West speaks about India and Pakistan in the same breath. Is it not in our national interest to demonstrate to the world that we can think of a world beyond Pakistan, that we are a qualitatively better, more mature and secular country with a greater commitment to the values of democracy and freedom?

During March 2002, I was teaching about 200 final year students of engineering at Anna University and I gave a series of ten lectures on ‘Technology and Its Dimensions’. On the final day of the interaction, there was a discussion on Dual Use Technologies. One of the students raised a question.

‘Sir, I have recently come across Dr Amartya Sen’s statement that the nuclear weapon test conducted in May 1998 by India was ill conceived. Dr Amartya Sen is a great economist and a Nobel laureate who is much respected for his ideas on development. A comment from such a personality cannot be ignored. What is your view on his comments?’

‘I acknowledge the greatness of Dr Amartya Sen in the field of economic development and admire his suggestions, such as that thrust should be given to primary education,’ I said. ‘At the same time, it seemed to me that Dr Sen looked at India from a Western perspective. In his view, India should have a friendly relationship with all countries to enhance its economic prosperity. I agree, but we must also bear in mind India’s experience in the past. Pandit Nehru spoke in the United Nations against nuclear proliferation and advocated zero nuclear weapons in all the countries. We know the result. One should note that there are more than 10,000 nuclear warheads on American soil, another 10,000 nuclear warheads are on Russian soil and there are a number of them in the UK, China, France, Pakistan and some other countries. The START II and the recent agreements between the USA and Russia only talk about reducing the number of nuclear warheads to 2,000 each and even these agreements are limping. Nobody takes the reduction of warheads in serious terms. There should be a movement by those who are against the May 1998 test in America and Russia or other Western countries to achieve zero nuclear weapons status. It is essential to remember that two of our neighbouring countries are armed with nuclear weapons and missiles. Can India be a silent spectator?’

India has been invaded in the last 3,000 years by a succession of conquerors, including the British, French, Dutch and Portuguese, either to enlarge their territory or to spread a religion or to steal the wealth of our country. Why is it India never invaded other countries (with a few exceptions in the Tamil kingdoms)? Is it because our kings were not brave enough? The truth is Indians were tolerant and never understood the true implications of being ruled by others for generations. But after the long independence struggle when we got our freedom and the country got united and has physical boundaries, is it possible to remain with economic prosperity as the only goal? The only way to show the strength of the country is the might to defend it. Strength respects strength and not weakness. Strength means military might and economic prosperity. The decisions and policies of the United Nations Security Council are dictated by the countries who possess nuclear weapons. How is it we did not get a seat in the Security Council so far but now other nations are recommending that India be made a member?

In this regard, there is another incident I would like to narrate. My friend, Admiral L. Ramdas, who retired as the naval chief, told me that he and a group of people would hold a demonstration before Parliament protesting against the nuclear test carried out in May 1998. I replied to my friend that he and his group should first demonstrate in front of the White House and the Kremlin against the large quantity of nuclear warheads and ICBMs there.

I call to my people to rise to greatness. It is a call to all Indians to rise to their highest capabilities. What are the forces which lead to the rise or fall of nations? And what are the factors which go to make a nation strong? Three factors are invariably found in a strong nation: a collective pride in its achievements, unity and the ability for combined action. For a people and a nation to rise to the highest, they must have a common memory of great heroes and exploits, of great adventures and triumphs in the past. If the British rose to great heights it is because they had great heroes to admire, men like Lord Nelson, say, or the Duke of Wellington. Japan represents a fine example of national pride. The Japanese are proud of being one people, having one culture, and because of that they could transform a humiliating military defeat into a triumphant economic victory.

All nations which have risen to greatness have been characterized by a sense of mission. The Japanese have it in large measure. So do the Germans. In the course of three decades, Germany was twice all but destroyed. And yet its people’s sense of destiny never dimmed. From the ashes of the Second World War, it has emerged a nation economically powerful and politically assertive. If Germany can be a great nation, why can’t India?

Unfortunately for India, historic forces have not given a common memory to all communities by taking them back to their roots a millennium down the ages. Not enough effort has been made in the last fifty years to foster that memory.

I had the fortune of learning many of our religions in the country from my childhood, in high school and then onwards for nearly seventy years. One aspect I realize is that the central theme of any religion is spiritual well-being. Indeed it should be understood that the foundation of secularism in India has to be derived from spirituality.

It is because our sense of mission has weakened that we have ceased to be true to our culture and ourselves. If we come to look upon ourselves as a divided people with no pride in our past and no faith in the future, what else can we look forward to except frustration, disappointment and despair?

In India, the core culture goes beyond time. It precedes the arrival of Islam; it precedes the arrival of Christianity. The early Christians, like the Syrian Christians of Kerala, have retained their Indianness with admirable determination. Are they less Christian because their married women wear the mangalsutra or their menfolk wear the dhoti in the Kerala style? Kerala’s Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, is not a heretic because he and his people are part of Kerala’s culture. Being a Christian does not make him an alien. On the contrary, it gives an added dimension to his Indianness. A.R. Rahman may be a Muslim but his voice echoes in the soul of all Indians, of whatever faith, when he sings Vande Mataram.

The greatest danger to our sense of unity and our sense of purpose comes from those ideologists who seek to divide the people. The Indian Constitution bestows on all the citizens total equality under its protective umbrella. What is now cause for concern is the trend towards putting religious form over religious sentiments. Why can’t we develop a cultural–not religious–context for our heritage that serves to make Indians of us all? The time has come for us to stop differentiating. What we need today is a vision for the nation which can bring unity.

It is when we accept India in all its splendid glory that, with a shared past as a base, we can look forward to a shared future of peace and prosperity, of creation and abundance. Our past is there with us forever. It has to be nurtured in good faith, not destroyed in exercises of political oneupmanship.

The developed India will not be a nation of cities. It will be a network of prosperous villages empowered by telemedicine, tele- education and ecommerce. The new India will emerge out of the combination of biotechnology, biosciences and agriculture sciences and industrial development. The political leaders would be working with the zeal born of the knowledge that the nation is bigger than individual interests and political parties. This attitude will lead to minimizing the rural-urban divide as progress takes place in the countryside and urbanites move to rural areas to absorb the best of what nature can give in the form of products and wealth.

The most important and urgent task before our leadership is to get all the forces for constructive change together and deploy them in a mission mode. India is a country of one billion people with numerous religions and communities. It offers a wide spectrum of ideologies, besides its geographic diversity. This is our greatest strength. However, fragmented thinking, compartmentalized planning and isolated efforts are not yielding results. The people have to come together to create a harmonious India.

The second vision of the nation will bring about a renaissance to the nation. The task of casting a strong India is in the hands of a visionary political leadership.

There are success stories among failures. There is hope among chaos, promise among problems. We are one billion people with multiple faiths and ideologies. In the absence of a national vision cracks at the seam keep surfacing and make us vulnerable. There is a need to reinforce this seam and amalgamate us into one national forum.

Summary of the Lesson

Patriotism beyond politics and religion.

The lesson begins with a quote of Swami Vivekananda which clearly shows that Kalam is committed to service of the human beings for their welfare. The lesson describes Kalam’s stay at Chandipur, an island near Balasore regarding the test of a missile there. Kalam describes his love for morning walk and the scenery in the morning. He says that he has been fortunate to posted to such places which were full of natural beauty and Chandi pur was one such place. It was named after Goddess Chandi or Durga. It had one of the finest beaches of India where he went on morning walk. The team of Kalam had been testing missiles and airborne weapon systems in Shree Hari Kota in the 17 km Interim Test Range. The team Kalam was in the mood of celebration at fourth consecutive successful flight of Prithvi. But Lt General Ramesh Khosala, Director General Artillery wanted a land range to test the Circular Probability Error within 150 metres. The team Kalam opened the map of India and found that the wheeler islands were suitable for this purpose. They visited the island and had to stay overnight there but the island was suitable for the purpose. They wanted clearance from the government to acquire this land. After the clearance from the defense minister and now the Chief Minister of Orissa had to do the formalities to provide the land to DRDO. Kalam himself wrote a detailed letter to Biju Patnaik the CM of Orissa and met him personally with Major Gen. KN Singh. Biju Da welcomed him and gave him an affectionate hug and promised that all that he requires will be his. Biju Da was a nationalist leader. He once went to Indonesia when Indonesian President Sukarno became a father for the first time and he was not able to find a suitable name for her daughter. Biju Da helped him by suggesting the name Megawati and the baby was christened Megawati who later became the President of Indonesia.

Kalam expresses her displeasure about Indian status in world affairs that our country does not get importance at international affairs in the ratio of potentials.Then he mentions an incident of Anna University when he was teaching the students of engineering and an student asked him question that Amartya Sen a leading economist said that India’s nuclear test at Pokhran II was ill conceived. Kalam says that he admired Amartya Sen for his greatness and suggestions that India should have friendly relations with all the countries and enhance its economic prosperity. But we cannot forget our past. In the United Nations, Nehru advocated zero nuclear weapon for all the countries of the world. At present, there are 10000 warheads in US itself and same amount in Russia besides several such warheads in UK, France, Pakistan and China. Nobody wants to reduce them. If we look into the past, Indians had to face several invasions from outsiders. Pakistan too has attacked four times. He then mentions the name of a retired Admiral L. Ramdas who planned to protest before parliament against the nuclear test. Kalam says that Admiral Ramdas should first protest against nations like the US who have piled up nuclear warheads and ICBMS. Kalam calls his people to rise to greatness. What makes a great nation? Kalam tells that there are three factors that makes a great nation. They are collective pride in their achievements, unity and ability for combined action. All nations which rose to greatness had a sense of mission. Our constitution gives equal rights to all the citizens. It is the ideologists who seek to divide the nation. If anyone sings Vande Matram, he does not become a less Muslim. We have a shared past and culture. Our diversity is our greatest strength. The developed India will not be India of cities but of villages.

About the Author,  Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam) was the eleventh President of India. He rose to this position with the help of the then Ruling Party, the Bhartiya Janta Party. He is known as the Missile Man of India because of his pivotal role that he played in the development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology for his country India. He was very instrumental in the Pokhran II Nuclear Test  after a big gap of time since Pokhran I in 1974. Kalam became the Project Leader of India’s Indegenous Satellite Launch Vehicle  (SLV) at ISRO. His biggest achievement was SLV -3. In June 1972, he shouldered the responsibility of Missile Development Program which later placed India as equal to Super Powers of the world.  He received several awards including Bharat Ratna for his achievements. 

He rose to the position of the first citizen of India from a humble beginning. He was born on 15 October 1931 at Rameshwaram, a famous Hindu Pilgrimage.  His father was a boat owner and Imam of a mosque. His father ferried Hindu pilgrims between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi. Kalam was the youngest of five siblings. 

He graduated in Physics from University of Madras and then again he graduated in Aerospace Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. He could not become a pilot as he stood ninth rank in the test and only eight positions were available. He joined DRDO as a scientist. Later, he was transferred to ISRO where he became the Project Director of Satellite Launch Vehicle Program and then his success story began. 

After his tenure as the President Of India has ended, he took to writing and delivering lectures at educational institutions. On July 27, 2015, while he was delivering a lecture at Indian Institute of Management at Shillong, he collapsed and died from cardiac arrest.

Multiple Choice Type Questions

1. The book “Wings of Fire” has been written by.............

(a) Rabindranath Tagore

(b) A P J Abdul Kalam  

(c) Abul Kalam Ajad

(d) Vivekanand

Answer: (b) APJ Abdul Kalam 

2. …………..is known as the Missile Man of India .

(a) APJ Abdul Kalam 

(b) Homi Jahangir Bhabha

(c) Shree G Madhwan Nair

(d) Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

Answer: (a) APJ Abdul Kalam

3. APJ Abdul Kalam was born.........

(a) 13 October 1931

(b) 14 October 1935

(c) 15 October 1931

(d) 14 October 1930

Answer: (c) 15 October 1931

4. Kalam was particularly attached to .........

(a) the beauty of Chandipur

(b) the beauty of the ocean  

(c) the beauty of sunrise

(d) the beauty of sunset

Answer: (c) the beauty of sunrise

5. The team Kalam wanted to acquire the Wheeler Islands ………………..

(a) for the missile impact test

(b) for the missile launch test

(c) for the missile speed test

(d) for missile monitoring platform

Answer: (a) For the missile impact test

6. What was the expectation of Biju Patnaik form Kalam?

(a) Biju Patnaik wanted Prithvi Missiles for India  

(b) Biju Patnaik wanted Agni Missiles for India  

(c) Biju Patnaik wanted ICBM for India  

(d) Biju Patnaik wanted Brahmos  Missiles for India  

Answer: (c) Biju Patnaik wanted ICBM for India   

7. Indonesian President Sukarno invited Biju Patnaik………………

(a) to christen his baby daughter.

(b) to the birthday of his baby daughter

(c) to the birthday of his wife

(d) to his birthday

Answer: (a) to Christen his baby daughter.

8. Biju Patnaik named the daughter of Sukarno as  .............

(a) Sukarnoputri

(b) Mayawati

(c) Mayaputri

(d) Megawati

Answer: (d) Megawati

9………..said that the Pokhran II nuclear test was ill conceived.

(a) A student at Anna University

(b) Amartya Sen 

(c) Atal Bihari Bajpeyee

(d) Dr. Manmohan Singh

Answer: (b) Amartya Sen

10. Dr Kalam died from cardiac arrest on …………..

(a) 26 July 2016

(b) 25 July 2014

(c) 28 July 2016

(d) 27 July 2015

Answer: ( d) 27 July 2015

11.ITR was established in  …………..

Answer: ( b) 1989

12.The world Chandipur is associated with  …………..

(a) Goddess Saraswati

(b) Goddess Chandi

(c) Goddess Durga

(d) Both b and c

Answer: ( d) Both b and c 

Short Answer Type Questions Q. 1. DR. Kalam starts this chapter with a quote of Vivekananda, what does he want to say by this quote? Answer: Dr Kalam seems to say that he will keep on doing good to others even at the cost of going to hell. Q. 2. What is that DR. Kalam is particularly attached to? Answer: Dr Kalam is particularly attached to the beauty of morning sunrise. Q. 3.Why does DR. Kalam feel thankful to God? Answer: Dr Kalam feels thankful to God because he has always been appointed to the places which had abundance of natural beauty and his mind could be opened to cosmic reality. Q. 4.What is the meaning of Chandipur? Answer: Chandipur means the abode of Goddess Chandi or Durga. Q. 5.Why did Dr.Kalam want to acquire the Wheeler Islands? Answer: Dr. Kalam wanted to acquire the Wheeler Islands for Circular Error Probability Test at a land range. Q. 6.What did Biju Patnaik say to Dr.Kalam? Answer: Biju Patnaik said to Dr. Kalam that he had followed his work since the time of Dr. Sarabhai. Q. 7.What did Biju Patnaik promise to Dr.Kalam? Answer: Biju Patnaik promised to Dr. Kalam that everything that he required would be his. Q. 8.What promise and assurance did Biju Patnaik want from Dr. Kalam? Answer: Biju Patnaik wanted promise and assurance from Dr. Kalam that he would make ICBMs for India to make her stronger. Q. 9.Why did Biju Patnaik go to Indonesia? Answer: Biju Patnaik went to Indonesia because he was invited by the Indonesian President to christen his baby daughter by an Indian name. Q. 10.What name did Biju Patnaik give to the daughter of the Indonesian President Sukarno? Answer: Biju Patnaik gave the name Megawati to the daughter of the Indonesian President Sukarno  

Long answer type questions, q. 11.why does dr kalam say that india deserve more international attention , answer: according to dr. kalam india deserves more attention and respect from the world community because she has such potential. the world community is wrong in treating india pakistan alike., q. 12.what question did a student raise before dr kalam when he was teaching engineering students in anna university, answer: the question that the student raised before dr. kalam was that according to  amartya sen pokharan ii nuclear test was ill conceived., q. 13.what was the response of dr. kalam at the question raised by a student before dr kalam in anna university, answer: dr. kalam said that he admired dr. sen’s suggestion but his suggestion is based on western perspective about india. nehru spoke in the un for complete disarmament and zero nuclear weapons but western countries are amassing nuclear weapons and in such circumstances, it is not possible for india to remain unarmed., q. 14.what did dr. kalam’s friend,a retired admiral, l ramdas told  him, answer: a retired admiral l ramdas told dr. kalam that he was going to protest in front of parliament against pokharan ii nuclear test., q. 15.how did dr. kalam respond to his friend, a retired admiral, l. ramdas , answer: dr. kalam said to admiral l. ramdas that he and his group must first demonstrate in front of white house and kremlin., q. 16.how did, according to dr. kalam, all the nations of the world rise to greatness, answer: according to dr. kalam all the nations of the world rose to greatness by a sense of mission., q. 17.what is the greatest danger, according to dr. kalam, to our sense of unity and sense of purpose, answer: the ideologies who seek to divide the people are the greatest danger to our sense of unity and sense of purpose., q.18.what vision does india need today, answer: the vision that can bring unity is needed for indian people., q.19.what is one upmanship, answer: one upmanship is the practice of showing oneself better than others in all the cases., q.20.what is dr. kalam’s vision for developed india, answer: dr. kalam’s vision of developed india is that his india will be a network of prosperous villages empowered by telemedicine, tele education and ecommerce., post a comment, popular posts from this blog, my financial career by stephen leacock.

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Patriotism beyond Politics and Religion by APJ Kalam: Multiple Choice Questions with Answers

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A.P.J ABDUL KALAM: A VISIONARY FOR THE YOUTH, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE IGNITED MINDS.

In the words of the famous Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie, “I’m youth, I’m joy, I’m a little bird that has broken out of the egg”. When a little bird comes out of the egg, there stands a whole new and beautiful world in front of that tiny creature and this new world fills the heart of the bird with new aspirations and hopes to soar high in the sky. Similar is the case of the young people as during this period they have before them new vistas of knowledge and their hearts are filled with new aspirations to achieve big. Youth is often termed as the ‘spring of life’ as this is the time of freshness and flowering in life of a person. It is the time of fearless experimentation and dreaming of making impossibilities possible. The youth have the strength to work towards bigger cause. They are the future of a country and can play a great role in moulding the destiny of a nation. Late former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had tremendous faith in the power of youth in constructing the future of a country. He believed that young minds have superfluous possibilities and potentials that if equipped with knowledge and creativity can work wonders for a country. This paper throws light on Dr. Kalam’s views on the role of the youth in making India a developed country as stated in his book Ignited Minds.

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International Journal of Multidisciplinary and Current Educational Research (IJMCER), 2021

Youths are the strongest pillars of any nation who are mostly guided by energy, courage and ability to do whatever they like. They don’t accept and follow everyone but few in their life. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, a great scientist in the field of nuclear program and the 11th President of India is one of the few who is followed by millions. He is one of the most influential personalities in the life of most of the youths of not only India but also the whole world.Since his childhood he led a very ordinary but inspiring life. His whole life itself is a great inspiration for the youths. His father played the most important and significant role in his life to become one of the leading scientists of India from a mere boy. He is the role model of most of the youths, the youth icon. The present paper deals with some of the inspiring life events of Mr. Kalam and his unique approach towards life which made him the most influential figure in the life of most of the youths. His speeches and sayings have the capability to change the nation by inspiring the youths. His ideal life is presented in such a way so that the reader can also consider him as their idol in life. The attitude of Dr. Kalam towards life will definitely change the attitude of the readers towards their own life. They will be able to think and look into life in a unique way.

Postmillennial has a furious competitive world in every sphere of life like sports, jobs, politics and especially in the field of education. If student needs to prove his or her talents, he must prove his potential in science and technology. These are the key factors to success. Postmillennial Indian English novelists are mostly young. It has one of the largest youth populations in the world. The youth show strong passion, motivation and will power. This makes them the most precious human resource. It helps in the economic, cultural and political development of a nation. They are responsible for change, advancement and innovation which lie on their shoulders. They can raise or ruin the society. Some great Indian English novelists are vividly portraying Indian youth in a normal way. But, Bhagat’s Five Point Someone, deals with the revolutionary change in the entire scenario and indirectly conveyed a serious message in a humorous way. It is a wakeup call for elite technical institutions to uphold the innovative teaching style.

The Criterion: An International journal in English, Volume: Vi, Issue: 1, 2015

Abstract: APJ Abdul Kalam is renowned Indian scientist and administrator, who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He is compassionate soul with a beautiful mind. His co-authored autobiography with subordinate Arun Tiwari entitles “Wings of Fire”. His majestic tutelage, within modest means of his Patriarch during infantile years attributes to the grandeur accomplishments in his later life. The episodes from his juvenile ages analyzed and explored to determine the genesis of his acumen and eminence in the present context. Keywords: Genesis, Nurture, Tutelage, Acumen, Eminence, Infantile, Mystics, Attributes, Juvenile, Reconnoitre

Dr. V.S.Valumuni , 2024

The youth generation is the future of a nation; rather, this should become a truth, and it will only become so when the youth are sufficiently empowered and strengthened. The government as well as the society are quite hopeful with respect to the capabilities of the Indian youth since they have the best suitable potential that can facilitate growth and progress for the nation, but both the government and the society should analyze whether the youth are rightly getting sufficient opportunities and facilitates or not.

India is an extremely youthful nation and the youth population of the country is so rich and diverse. Understanding them and offering suitable mentoring support to them are challenging task for the leaders of the nation as well as for the communities.

Social Change, 2004

India is the youngest country amongst the BRICS. It is estimated that by 2020 the working age population in India would be about 592 million, second to that of China’s (776 million). Theorised in terms of the ‘youth bulge’ or ‘demographic dividend’, this holds out prospects as well as challenges for a developing country like India. This note approaches the question of youth in contemporary urban India by shedding light on a variety of perspectives: the institutional structure and governance framework for young people in India, the involvement of and interest of young people in politics, employment-unemployment amongst youth, aspirations, and everyday politics of the youth. By considering both formal politics and political representations among youth as also more everyday forms of politics and aspirational dimensions of youth engagement, this note attempts to develop a holistic snapshot of contemporary urban youth.

American Ethnologist, 2019

Dreamers attempts to capture the zeitgeist of India's under twenty-five youth demographic that comprise over half the population in the country today. Journalist Snigdha Poonam argues that this is a generation of Indians "hanging between extremes" who are "hitting adulthood with the cultural values of their grandparents…but the life goals of American teenagers" (24). She chooses North India's second tier cities, small towns, and villages as the vantage point by which to understand this generations' aspirations and their limits in contemporary India. Over the course of six chapters, we are introduced to several characters, mostly male, who have figured out novel ways to hustle in places often obscured in media and scholarship. Poonam calls these young people "dreamers". For her dreamers hold very particular aspirations-to have money and hold influence. They are prepared to acquire both through a "whatever works" or jugaad sensibility. Jugaad is a vernacular Hindi term that can be glossed as a hack or as hacking. A jugaadu is someone who is adept at making something out of nothing, a bricoleur if you like. Amit Rai (2019) argues that jugaadu and jugaad, once terms associated with India's poor and their strategies for survival, have been zealously picked up by corporates and the new business elite to promote an entrepreneurial India in an era where stable wage labor is hard to come by, particularly for the generation Poonam identifies as dreamers. In ethnographically rich detail and clear lively prose, Poonam shows how jugaadu ingenuity is embraced by youthful actors outside of the metropolitan centers of India. Moreover, she illustrates how digital worlds emerge for these young people as the key site where dreams can be imagined, made, and frustrated. By starting a (digital) content farm in a former princely state (chapter 1), running an English school for aspiring technology workers in Ranchi (chapter 2), taking the role of the middle man or fixer in an increasingly digitized state-citizen matrix (chapter 3), becoming a (digital content producing) political fieldworker for the ruling BJP party (chapter 4), doing (online and offline) campus politics (chapter 5), or acting, modelling, or event managing in India's booming culture industries (chapter 6); Poonam shows us how the affectively charged aspirations and pragmatic tactics that link young people from different backgrounds across India are located in digital infrastructures that have exploded in the last decade (Dattatreyan, forthcoming; Mankekar, 2017). Yet, while Poonam offers rich ethnographic accounts of contemporary digital jugaad, she takes the infrastructures and public pedagogy of digitality and their effects as a taken for granted starting point by which to understand youthful aspiration. The advent and rapid spread of ICTs and their cultural impact in India, however, is anything but a given. Take for instance the first chapter, which introduces us to Singhal, a young man who moves from his village to the former princely state of Indore. Singhal, after a serendipitous moment when he sees his brother's Facebook page documenting 'amazing Indian things' go viral, starts a content farm called Wittyfeed that produces clickbait to garner 'clicks' across the world that, in short order, has acquired over a billion followers on Facebook and produces much of the short form content that circulates in the United States. In fascinating detail, she illustrates how Singhal eschews conventional metrics that might indicate success such as education or previous employment when hiring content producers for Wittyfeed. Rather, he makes his hiring decisions based on whether applicants can, on the spot, perform their potential to think outside of the caste, religious, and class positions they have inherited. While the stories in this chapter and indeed in all of the chapters were fascinating, I found myself wanting to know a bit more about how these young people develop the kinds of repertoires necessary to successfully perform, in the case of Wittyfeed, the kind of 'individuality' that someone like Singhal values in the first place. What media forms are they consuming that primed them towards such unconventional performances and how did they access them? Might they, as Constantin Nakassis (2016) argues, mobilize citations of transnational popular media in their friend groups to gain status in ways that unwittingly prepare them to become successful? While a discussion of youth

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Ignited Minds: Summary and Analysis

Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India , written by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, is a motivational book that aims to inspire the youth of India to harness their potential for national development. Published in 2002, this book reflects Dr. Kalam’s vision for a developed India by 2020 and emphasizes the importance of education, innovation, and leadership among young people. This blog post provides a comprehensive summary of the book, exploring its key themes, chapters, and the impact it has had on readers.

Table of Contents

Overview of Ignited Minds

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, known as the “Missile Man of India,” served as the President of India from 2002 to 2007. In  Ignited Minds , he addresses the challenges facing India and presents a roadmap for transformation through the empowerment of its youth. The book is dedicated to young citizens and emphasizes their role in shaping the future of the nation.

Structure of the Book

The book is organized into nine chapters, each addressing different aspects of national development and personal growth:

• The Dream and the Message
• Give Us a Role Model
• Visionary Teachers and Scientists
• Learning from Saints and Seers
• Patriotism Beyond Politics and Religion
• The Knowledge Society
• Getting the Forces Together
• Building a New State
• To My Countrymen

The book concludes with an epilogue and a “Song of Youth,” which encapsulates Dr. Kalam’s vision for India’s future.

The Power of Dreams

One of the central messages in  Ignited Minds  is the importance of dreaming big. Dr. Kalam asserts that dreams transform into thoughts, which then lead to actions that can change lives and nations.

• Quote : “Dream, dream, dream; dreams transform into thoughts, and thoughts result in action.”

This theme encourages young people to envision their goals and work diligently towards achieving them.

Role Models

Dr. Kalam emphasizes the need for role models in society—individuals who inspire others through their achievements, values, and commitment to excellence.

• Examples : He cites historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, and Emperor Ashoka as sources of inspiration for young minds.

By following exemplary figures, youth can cultivate qualities that contribute to personal and societal progress.

Education and Knowledge Society

Education is portrayed as a vital tool for empowerment and national development. Dr. Kalam advocates for a knowledge society where innovation, research, and critical thinking are prioritized.

• Focus : He discusses the necessity of integrating science with spirituality to foster holistic development.

Unity in Diversity

In a country as diverse as India, Dr. Kalam calls for unity beyond political or religious affiliations. He believes that patriotism should transcend these divisions to create a cohesive national identity.

• Message : “Patriotism beyond politics and religion” encourages citizens to work together for common goals.

E. Responsibility Towards Nation Building

Dr. Kalam urges every citizen to take responsibility for India’s development by contributing their skills and talents toward building a prosperous nation.

• Call to Action : He emphasizes that collective efforts are essential for achieving national goals.

Detailed Summary by Chapters

Chapter 1: the dream and the message.

This chapter introduces Dr. Kalam’s vision for India as a developed nation by 2020. He shares his personal experiences and dreams that shaped his aspirations for his country.

• Key Takeaway : The importance of having a clear vision and setting ambitious goals.

Chapter 2: Give Us a Role Model

Dr. Kalam discusses the significance of role models in shaping young minds and inspiring them to pursue excellence.

• Key Figures : He highlights individuals from various fields who have made significant contributions to society.

Chapter 3: Visionary Teachers and Scientists

This chapter focuses on the impact of educators and scientists in fostering innovation and creativity among students.

• Emphasis : The need for visionary teachers who can inspire students to think critically and creatively.

Chapter 4: Learning from Saints and Seers

Dr. Kalam explores India’s spiritual heritage, emphasizing how moral values can guide personal development and societal progress.

• Insight : Spirituality complements scientific knowledge in creating well-rounded individuals.

Chapter 5: Patriotism Beyond Politics and Religion

In this chapter, Dr. Kalam calls for unity among Indians regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.

• Vision : A collective sense of patriotism that prioritizes national interests over divisive politics.

Chapter 6: The Knowledge Society

Dr. Kalam advocates for creating a knowledge-based society where education is accessible to all, fostering innovation and research.

• Focus : The integration of technology in education to enhance learning experiences.

Chapter 7: Getting the Forces Together

This chapter discusses collaboration among various sectors—government, industry, academia—to achieve national goals effectively.

• Message : Collective action is crucial for driving change in society.

Chapter 8: Building a New State

Dr. Kalam outlines strategies for developing infrastructure, healthcare, education, and technology to create a prosperous nation.

• Call to Action : Citizens must actively participate in nation-building efforts.

Chapter 9: To My Countrymen

In this concluding chapter, Dr. Kalam addresses his fellow citizens directly, urging them to embrace their responsibilities toward national development.

• Inspiration : He ends with an uplifting message about hope and possibility for India’s future.

Impact of Ignited Minds

Ignited Minds  has resonated deeply with readers across India and beyond since its publication:

• Youth Empowerment : The book has inspired countless young individuals to pursue their dreams with determination.
• National Pride : It instills a sense of pride in India’s potential as a developed nation.
• Educational Influence : Many educational institutions incorporate its teachings into their curricula to motivate students toward excellence.

FAQs About  Ignited Minds  by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

1. what is the main theme of  ignited minds .

The main theme of  Ignited Minds  is the empowerment of youth and the importance of dreaming big to achieve personal and national goals. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam emphasizes the role of education, innovation, and collective responsibility in transforming India into a developed nation.

2. Who is A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist, engineer, and politician who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He is known as the “Missile Man of India” for his contributions to India’s missile development programs and is celebrated for his vision for a developed India.

3. How is  Ignited Minds  structured?

Ignited Minds  is structured into nine chapters, each focusing on different aspects of national development and personal growth. The chapters cover topics such as the importance of role models, visionary teachers, patriotism, and building a knowledge society.

4. What does Dr. Kalam mean by “dreaming big”?

Dr. Kalam encourages readers to dream big as he believes that dreams can transform into thoughts, which then lead to actions that change lives and nations. He emphasizes that having a clear vision and setting ambitious goals are crucial for personal and societal progress.

5. Why does Dr. Kalam emphasize the need for role models?

Dr. Kalam believes that role models inspire individuals to pursue excellence and embody values that contribute positively to society. By following exemplary figures, youth can cultivate qualities that enhance their personal development and motivate them to achieve their dreams.

6. What is meant by a “knowledge society”?

A “knowledge society,” as described by Dr. Kalam, is one where education, innovation, and research are prioritized to foster critical thinking and creativity among individuals. It emphasizes the need for accessible education that empowers citizens to contribute to national development.

7. How does  Ignited Minds  address unity in diversity?

Dr. Kalam calls for unity beyond political or religious affiliations, advocating for a collective sense of patriotism that transcends divisions. He believes that working together for common goals is essential for India’s progress.

8. What impact has  Ignited Minds  had on readers?

Since its publication,  Ignited Minds  has inspired countless individuals, particularly youth, to pursue their dreams with determination and take an active role in nation-building. It has instilled a sense of pride in India’s potential and motivated many to contribute positively to society.

9. How can readers apply the lessons from  Ignited Minds  in their lives?

Readers can apply the lessons from  Ignited Minds  by setting ambitious goals, seeking out role models, embracing education as a tool for empowerment, and taking responsibility for their contributions to society. Engaging in community service and advocating for positive change are also practical applications of Dr. Kalam’s teachings.

10. Is  Ignited Minds  suitable for all age groups?

Yes,  Ignited Minds  is suitable for readers of all ages, particularly students and young professionals seeking inspiration and guidance in their personal and professional lives. Its motivational messages resonate universally with anyone interested in personal growth and national development.

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s  Ignited Minds  serves as a powerful manifesto for youth empowerment and national development in India. By emphasizing dreams, role models, education, unity, and collective responsibility, Dr. Kalam provides a roadmap for transforming aspirations into reality. His vision continues to inspire generations to believe in their potential while working towards building a brighter future for India. This comprehensive summary highlights key aspects of  Ignited Minds , offering insights into its themes while encouraging readers to explore its motivational messages further.

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