First published in 1999, ?Wings of fire? is the autobiography of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, popularly known as the ?missile man of India?. Recipient of the highest Indian civilian award of ?Bharat Ratna? he became the President of Indian Republic in 2001.
This is the story of a simple, modest but extra ordinarily talented scientist who rose from a humble background to become the father of India?s now successful, indigenously built, Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) launched in 1983. He has also significantly contributed towards Indian successes in space and atomic research.
The narrative primarily revolves around the author?s involvement with Space Launch Vehicle (SLV-3), Agni (missile ) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) projects. The IGMDP involved 78 partners including 36 technology and 41 production centers spread over PSUs, ordnance factories, private industries, professional societies and of course the bureaucratic structure. Thus, the job involved judicious and skilled manpower management, coordination, sharing of resources, establishment of priorities and conflict resolution.
The author feels that technology is a group activity involving dreaming of targets and endeavoring to achieve them for general benefit, come what may. While revealing his anger, frustrations and anguish at the abandonment of his almost completed previous projects on hovercraft ?Nandi?, the RATO (Devil missile) and the abortion of the SLV- Diamont fourth stage, besides his personal tragedies, he narrates how he learnt to absorb those setbacks in his strides, came to terms with them and pursued fresh dreams and achieved them. Only dreamers can be achievers, he says.
To motivate people to enhance their performance is a challenge to the Leader and Dr. Kalam expounds his own theory of participative manpower management involving all segments of authority and target directed hard work. The fact that he succeeded in achieving set targets during his stints at ISRO, VSSC and DRDO proves their effectiveness. ?Let the latent fire in the heart of every Indian acquire wings and the glory of this great country light up the sky?, he says.
The author has briefly touched upon his personal influences, his place of birth, his faith in god, his close relationship with his honest father, pious mother, down to earth companions and friends (first cousin and brother-in-law) and above all, his sister, who sold off her ornaments to enable the author to pursue his higher studies.
While he has been very liberal in his praise and accomplishments of his superiors, the likes of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Satish Chandra and Dr. Brahm Prakash, he has not forgotten to acknowledge the contribution of his teachers, mentors, guides, colleagues, advisors, and above all his subordinates towards his own success.
Negative references are negligible. This speaks volumes of the author?s modesty and character. The narrative has been liberally interspersed with motivational anecdotes, quotes from holy books and famous authors at relevant points.
Besides incorporating a commentary on India?s space and missile programmes from someone deeply involved in these projects, the book is worth reading for its easy comprehension, inspirational value and simplistic approach to events and people.