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Wings of Fire

The best resource available for practicing project management.

Yesterday, I read Wings of Fire, a biography of Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President of India.

A great man, indeed. Humble, brilliant, visionary and inspirational.

Dr. Kalam explains his experience as a member and leader of the teams that made India’s first indigenously developed satellite launch vehicle and later, its missile systems. He gives plenty of insight into the art of project management as he experienced it, when you have to deal with many brilliant, highly motivated people.

The book is a very good read and doesn’t overload you with intricacies of rocket science. In fact, I think it is more about social engineering as envisioned by Dr. Kalam.

I sincerely wish I had read this book --well, it was not written then-- in 1989 when I decided to go for Engineering. I would’ve definitely chosen a different career path.

India is indeed blessed to have this great man.

Dr. Kalam’s story of progressing from the local boy who sold newspapers to a respected scientist who made missiles is very motivating.

Posted: January 08, 2004 08:18 AM
books , india , project_management

  1. yes, He's a great visionary and we're proud to have him as our President... :)

    now, India has two bachelors leading the way ;)

    ( did you read about sensex crossing 6k? )

    Posted by: hpnadig on January 10, 2004 04:21 PM

  2. last week, President Abdul Kalam was here in Bangalore...
    It was a kind of celebration here :)

    He gave a talk at IISc.

    Posted by: hpnadig on January 19, 2004 05:49 AM

  3. He is a wonderful person .he is a motivation.please spread his thoughts more and more let the young generation get proper guidence.

    Posted by: Vinay on January 21, 2004 10:05 AM

  4. hey! http://www.abdulkalam.com/ *is not* the official website of the president.

    It is:
    http://www.presidentofindia.nic.in/

    Posted by: hpnadig on January 25, 2004 11:54 PM

  5. We are proud To have our first citizen, a great Human like you. God always bless you with good health, high spirits and great wisdom like this. regards,
    nishet

    Posted by: Nishet Thakur on February 8, 2004 11:17 AM

  6. I had read this book and I think that every person must read this book mostly all students. This book is also available in marathi as "Agnipankh".This book inspired me.I think that A.P.J.Abdul kalam is a perfect person.

    Posted by: pooja on March 3, 2004 03:44 PM

  7. I have read this book and this is my one of the most favourite book.I think that we are lucky that A.P.J. Abdul
    kalam is our president.

    Posted by: priya on March 3, 2004 03:55 PM

  8. Everyone should read this autobiography of this great person.

    Posted by: R.veluchamy on March 8, 2004 05:20 PM

  9. I read wings of fire twice and i must tell to fellow indians that , only brain power with rightousnous and dedication can transform the country. The book is not about glorifying sucessful events in a man's history but a tour of life of a person who tried and succeeded in achieving noble objectives. India is gifted with visionaries and great thinkers in all ages. Our generation is gifted with Dr.Abdul Kalam who i consider has enlightened us and continues to do so..

    Posted by: Adhiyaman on March 30, 2004 11:58 PM

  10. particularly, he was a tamil medium student

    Posted by: sivakumar.g(siva1036@yahoo.co.in on June 15, 2004 05:05 PM

  11. #10 - I am not sure what you are implying. Personally, I don't think his tamil medium education diminishes his greatness at all.

    Posted by: Babu on June 15, 2004 06:55 PM

  12. I am living in rajasthan, and i am a student, I m sending this post regarding the rape case in delhi in 10 year before and now its case in your hand.Sir my request is to you that person give the punishment of death as par high court decision.if you leave then many more person will do same type of crime and no law applicable.
    SO PLEASE AGAIN MY REQUEST THAT PERSON DON'T LEAVE HIM.
    IF YOU LEAVE HIM SO EVERY STUDENT WILL BE ANGERY IN ALL INDAIA.


    THANKS'

    Posted by: vijaykotia on June 26, 2004 09:57 PM

  13. I have read this book and this is my one of the most favourite book the other one was the god father .we are lucky that A.P.J. Abdul ur our president .
    jai hind

    Posted by: vinitha morolia on June 28, 2004 01:23 PM

  14. respected sir,
    i have appeard in cee-2004 conducted by DU .i solved 52 problems in physics,
    27 in maths and 33 in chemistry.sir, the results are out and i have found great irregularities.marks given to me are:PHY-83,CHE-85,MATH-167.HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I GET 167 IN MATHSWHILE I HAVE SOLVED ONLY 27 PROPBLEMS since each problem is of 4 marks.Sir,my main worry is for physics as i was fully confident about these 52 questions.Sir,being financially weak i cant come to delhi and do what is reqoired.however, i have sent a letter to DU but they have not responded.
    i request you to look in this matter,sir.I will be highly obliged to you for this, sir.Thank you.

    Posted by: harshwardhan kashyap on July 1, 2004 01:53 PM

  15. ANYBODY CAN TELL THE TIPS FOR MY PROBLEM IN MY MAIL ALSO.


    sir,
    i am tamil medium student. english is difficult for me ,to write ,speak,and read.
    what i have to do to develope english skill,
    i belong to eee dpt in engineering(2003-2007).

    Posted by: g.sivakumar(sivag),(siva1036@yahoo.co.in on July 4, 2004 12:16 PM

    Posted by: g.sivakumar(sivag),(siva1036@yahoo.co.in on July 4, 2004 12:58 PM

  16. Great & simple expression !! I couldn't read books since years (9 years after schooling :) ..)beacuse of mismatch in ideas & concentration . This expression of urs has made me help myself out of confusions i.e. believe in self & "HIM".

    Thanks !!

    Posted by: Raana on July 7, 2004 05:07 PM

  17. sir,
    the President has recently broke a tradition relating to bravery awards given to the relatives of brave soldiers. for the relatives he himself approach them instead of waitin for them to come to him to recieve the award.
    his other two works are inspirational too--- "THE IGNITED MIND" & " INDIA 2020 VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT". the great man is an inspiration to our country and is the most respected person in my eyes.

    Posted by: rishi on July 9, 2004 08:15 PM

  18. wings of fire is a good book. it is so enthusiatic to read such books. the should be read by all indians. we are lucky that A.P.J. Abdul ur our president.I have read this book and this is my one of the most favourite book.
    his sincerity over indias future had impressed me very much. jai hind

    Posted by: praveen on October 7, 2004 06:57 PM

  19. the book makes every one to go in an optimistic way. i think this is very much useful for all students. the thinks i read in this book are so realistic, and it has attracted me very well. there are also many good opinion about him all over the world. vande matharam jai hind.

    Posted by: vignesh on October 7, 2004 07:05 PM

  20. WINGS OF FIRE,NAME ITSELF WE CAN SAY THAT, IT IS WONDERFUL BOOK TO READ AND UNDERSTAND.

    ON THE OTHER HAND,
    EVERYBODY SHOULD READ THIS BOOK ATLEAST ONE TIME.

    Posted by: SIVAKUMAR G(SIVA1036@YAHOO.CO.IN) on October 13, 2004 11:55 PM
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