Wings of fire

Khushi Jaiprakash Giri Student civil ( SY) Rajgad Dnyanpeeth Technical Campus Dhangwadi
In this book, Dr. Abdul Kalarn shares hind journey from humble beginnings and the challenges he faced in his personal and Professional life. He also discusses the principle of positive thinking that helped him achieve Success. The book also highlights indias Struggle for technological independence and Self defense.
The story begins with kalam as a boy around 1930 in the village of Rameswararn where he lived with his parents and four brother and one sister. In this boolt, the author tells us how the role of family, relatives. Friends and society contribute to individuals life Kalam describes his village where everyone lives in harmony Religious discrimination was unknown of that time
when he was very young, Kalam wanted to join the Indian Airforce but he was not able to clear the Interview far from being demotivated, he focused more on Studies, started his career in Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and was Involved in the design of hovercraft He went to NASA on a training program. He moved to Indian Space Research and there he met vikram Sarabhai. He also met many geniuses who Inspired him The book also describes leadership and teamwork, while making the projects. It shows how a man becomes a leader whenever there is a successful project or a failed one.
This is a very inspirational book for the beginner and how to start the journey when you have nothing to lost.

Prof. Pravin More
Shri Padmamani Jain College, Pabal

Wings of Fire is not just the autobiography of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, but a timeless testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and vision. Co-authored by Arun Tiwari, this book offers readers a panoramic view of Kalam’s journey from the humble streets of Rameswaram to the high echelons of India’s scientific and political landscapes. Written in a reflective and motivational tone, the book appeals not only to aspiring scientists and students but also to anyone striving to achieve greatness through unwavering determination and self-belief.

Dr. Kalam’s life embodies the idea that no dream is too big when coupled with dedication and perseverance. Wings of Fire encapsulates his philosophy of life, his contributions to science, and his vision for a self-reliant India.
Structure and Summary
The book is divided into four key parts, each symbolizing a phase of Dr. Kalam’s life, and provides a clear narrative arc from his humble beginnings to his professional triumphs and philosophical reflections.
1. Orientation (The Early Years)
This section focuses on Kalam’s childhood in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, where he grew up in a modest Tamil Muslim family. His father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner and an imam, while his mother, Ashiamma, was a devoted homemaker. Despite their modest income, Kalam recalls a happy and enriching childhood imbued with values of simplicity, discipline, and spirituality.
Kalam’s fascination with flight began early, inspired by his observations of birds and his exposure to the science behind it. His teachers and mentors, like Sivasubramania Iyer and Iyadurai Solomon, played pivotal roles in igniting his passion for learning and encouraged him to dream beyond societal and financial limitations.
Key takeaway: The foundational values instilled during one’s early years can shape a lifetime of success.
2. Creation (The Building Blocks of a Career)
In this section, Kalam narrates his academic and early professional journey. After completing his education in physics and aerospace engineering, he joined the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), where he worked on hovercraft technology.
Later, Kalam moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he became a key player in the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) project. This was India’s first successful attempt to launch a satellite into orbit. Kalam recounts the technical challenges, teamwork, and leadership lessons he learned during this phase.
Key takeaway: Success in any field is a result of collaborative effort, a thirst for knowledge, and an unwavering focus on the goal.
3. Propitiation (Leadership and Innovation)
This section focuses on Kalam’s years at DRDO, where he spearheaded India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). The development of missiles like Agni, Prithvi, Akash, and Nag under his leadership earned him the title “Missile Man of India.”
Kalam highlights the challenges of working with limited resources, the need for indigenous technological innovation, and the importance of perseverance when tackling setbacks. His leadership style, marked by empathy, delegation, and the ability to inspire, comes across vividly in this part of the book.
Key takeaway: True leadership lies in empowering others, embracing failures as stepping stones, and keeping the greater good at the heart of every decision.
4. Contemplation (Philosophy and Vision)
The final section of the book reveals Dr. Kalam’s philosophical side. Reflecting on his life, he emphasizes the importance of spirituality, self-discipline, and a higher purpose. He believed that science and spirituality were not contradictory but complementary forces that could drive human progress.
This section also outlines his vision for India’s future—becoming self-reliant in technology, eradicating poverty, and fostering innovation. His deep connection with India’s youth and his belief in their potential to transform the nation are recurring themes.
Key takeaway: A life of purpose and service is the ultimate fulfillment.
Themes and Lessons
1. The Power of Dreams and Hard Work
Kalam’s journey from a small-town boy to India’s “Missile Man” exemplifies the transformative power of dreams backed by relentless hard work. He believed that no dream was too big for those who dared to pursue it.
2. Self-Reliance and Nation-Building
A staunch advocate of self-reliance, Kalam championed the idea that technological independence was crucial for a nation’s sovereignty. His contributions to indigenous missile development and space research underscore this belief.
3. Mentorship and Teamwork
The book highlights the role of mentors like Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, and Brahm Prakash in shaping Kalam’s career. It also emphasizes the collective effort and camaraderie that drive scientific achievements.
4. Science and Spirituality
Kalam’s life reflects a unique blend of scientific temperament and spiritual depth. He believed that spirituality and science together could inspire progress while nurturing humanity.
Writing Style
The narrative is simple and conversational, making it relatable for a wide audience. Despite covering complex scientific projects, the co-author Arun Tiwari ensures clarity by simplifying technical details. Kalam’s personal anecdotes and reflections are presented in a heartfelt manner, allowing readers to connect with him on an emotional level. The book strikes a balance between inspiration and technical insight, appealing to both young readers and seasoned professionals.
Strengths
1. Inspirational Content
The book motivates readers to overcome adversities, dream big, and work tirelessly toward their goals.
2. Historical Insight
It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the early struggles of India’s space and missile programs, providing valuable lessons in innovation and resilience.
3. Holistic Perspective
The blend of personal, professional, and philosophical aspects makes the narrative comprehensive and relatable.
Weaknesses
1. Technical Density
While the book simplifies many technical aspects, certain sections may still feel overwhelming for readers unfamiliar with aerospace or missile technology.
2. Pacing Issues
The transitions between personal anecdotes and professional accounts can feel abrupt at times, affecting the flow of the narrative.
Conclusion
Wings of Fire is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire generations. It is more than an autobiography; it is a guidebook for life, imbued with lessons on resilience, teamwork, and purpose. Dr. Kalam’s story is a reminder that success is not determined by one’s circumstances but by one’s attitude and commitment to excellence.
This book is a must-read for anyone looking for motivation, especially students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders. It captures the essence of Dr. Kalam’s legacy: the power to dream, the courage to act, and the wisdom to serve.

Book Reviewer Pawar Samruddhi Prafull B.A. LL.B. III Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Yashwantrao Chavan Law College karad
The Book One of the most inspiring and popular autobiographies to read is Late Abdul Kalam’s Wings of Fire. In this book, the former president shares his personal experiences and minutest details of his life. It narrates his life, right from the former late president’s rise from humble beginnings to his vision for the country in the year 2020. It has been divided into four parts equally. The first part narrates his early life that includes his parents, teachers and other influential role models. The second part deals with Kalam’s further education, work experience and his involvement with the military projects. The third and the fourth parts are about his ISRO career and the last phase of his life, where he was bestowed upon with several awards and honours. Buy Wings of Fire: An Autobiography online to read more about this great personality who played a pivotal role in shaping our country’s future. About the Author Wings of Fire – An Autobiography was written by Dr Kalam and Arun Tiwari. Kalam examines. Kalam talks about his early life, effort, hardship, luck and chance that led him to become the frontman of Indian space research, nuclear and missile programs. Kalam began his career after graduating from MIT in Chennai, India. He worked with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and later moved to ISRO and helped establish Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and pioneered the first space launch-vehicle program. Kalam later moved to DRDO to lead the Indian nuclear weapons program. A former President, and one of the smartest and inspirational Indian personalities that the world has ever seen, Abdul Kalam died on 27 July 2015, during a speech at Indian Institute of Management in Shillong, Meghalaya.
This book contains the life of a simple yet determined person. There is so much knowledge and good things that everybody can extract from this book. Reading this book is a very heartwarming and beautiful experience.

This book contains a very detailed description of how great things can be achieved through simple thoughts. This book conveys the message of the authors that always keep your dream high, your goal clear, plan perfectly and do hard work.

The story is all about a warm and intensely personal, deeply passionate, common boat – owner’s son who has become India’s most distinguished living technocrat. The pure faith in God and deep kindness, dealing life with positivity, science, and technological advancements, Love toward one country and many more things are mentioned in this book.

The book is full of insights, personal moments, and life experiences of Dr. APJ Kalam. It gives us an understanding of his journey of success.

This is a story of a boy who was born in a normal and middle-class family. He had a curiosity about aeronautical engineering. He faced so many failures during launching the satellite called SLV [Satellite Launching Vehicle] but he proved that anything can be achieved by keep trying because when you become a failure then you go one step closer to success.

The author, by narrating his life journey evokes the reader to Identify with one’s inner fire and potential, for he was of the firm belief that each one of us was born with the strength and potential to make a tangible change in the world. How he inspired himself to achieve his dream and how he went about accomplished so much is what the book captures nicely.

The book recollects many anecdotes and stories from childhood, his time at school and college, He wrote the time spent at the Langley Research Center, NASA and Wallops Flight Facility gets a lot of attention.

Personal tragedies have not left been left out. The time when he lost his father and how he felt when conferred with many awards like the Padma Bhushan have been written in much detail.

The second half of the book deals with the author, the scientist who made a significant contribution in developing the country’s guided missile program, a pioneering effort for the security of the nation. It’s not with reason that he was nicknamed the ‘ Missile Man of India’.