Book Review - Ignited Minds By Shree A.P.J Abdul Kalam

The title for this book ‘Ignited Minds’ suits it perfectly. As it really Ignites ones mind. The book covers every aspect which is yet to be explored and discovered by us as a Nation. 

Nations consist of people and with their effort, a nation can accomplish all it could ever want. Motivating India’s youth especially, is the central theme of Ignited minds

The beauty of this book lies in the fact that, while emphasizing on the technological development of nation to make India stand in the elite group of developed Nations. The author also drew attention on social and cultural aspect. The author mentioned how spiritual education along with Knowledge can create wonders.

The book talks about how one should integrate our cultural and social values (ethics) with modern thinking, Enthusiasm of youth. This integration will produce potential leaders, Role models for tomorrow which will have integrity, respect and the thought of  “Nation comes first” embedded in their hearts and minds.

In the nine chapters of this book the author take up various themes. He begins with a rumination on peace, without which there can be no progress. Further, there is a chapter based on his interaction with children all over India. Other chapters contain the insights he gained in his meeting with saints and seers, scientists, outstanding teachers and others. 

The reader feels connected to the wisdom that is so special to this soil when he/she goes through these nine chapters.

It gives us insights about the problems, hindrances India faced through its development phase after Independence and how this great country overcome all those hurdles. The visionary thoughts of Dr. Kalam will act as guidance and will help us to serve our country in the best possible manner.

Whom should read this? Suitable Audience

This book contains language with deep meanings which requires some level of maturity to get understood in the same manner in which the author is trying to.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to have a peek into the great potential our country has, the diversity which makes it so rich, the great potential which is hidden in the various corners of the country and how the realization of one’s higher self within us and the faith in our dreams can take us to places.

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Igniting Minds is all about breaking away from the forces that would prefer selling cheap labour and raw materials and providing a large market for goods and services of other nations. It is about developing that conviction in ourselves, and discarding the things that hold us back.

Dr. Kalam writes, embed the thought 

“Nation is bigger than the Individual” in the minds of the leaders and people. And when they recite this, I see the developed India.

Let's Live Ourselves!

We all have been brought up by listening to the lectures about leading a good, prosperous, hassle-free and happy life, but do we really follow anyone of them? Right from our childhood, we all have been taught to be polite and helpful to everyone, but do we really are?

Sometimes we feel like to help someone, to talk to someone, but we couldn’t.
What is the thing which holds us to do so? After so many experiences, I came towards only one answer. It is the ego which holds us. Everyone have the same heart, which almost same emotions but still, we are having conflicts with each other.


Ego is a small word with only three letters of English, yet it is so powerful that it creates differences between the most beautiful creation of God on this Planet. People stop talking to their loved ones, friends just because they have this little feeling of anxiety embedded in their hearts.


So, what’s the solution of this? How this so-called “ego” can be forgotten from the hearts. The only thing we have to do is to smile, just smile and initiate.


It actually makes things a lot easier. When you smile, it makes yourself more approachable for others. Others feel comfortable and they might encourage themselves to talk to you, just by seeing you smile.


They might also come to you and may solve all those misunderstanding and Grudges which you both might be having in your hearts from a long time. When you meet them or see them, just smile.

Life is full of unpredictable happenings. Do not make it worst by complexing and messing things in your mind & hearts.

If you are having some issues with anyone, talk to them directly. Initiate first, listen to them and even if you are not coming to a conclusion (Point), still the argument is going on, then say sorry. What is the issue in saying sorry, even if you have done nothing wrong?


Ask yourself what is more important, your so-called “EGO” or “THAT PERSON”?


If the answer is “that person” then there should not be any problem in apologizing to them, even if you have done nothing wrong.

I have seen many people saying that, why I apologise? That wasn’t my fault. That person should talk to me first and the cycle goes on. It is the ego which forces them to do so. Only thing comes to my mind in such situation is that why people cannot initiate first keeping all those grudge and ego aside for a while.

All it takes is a beautiful smile and a sorry and that person will be yours once again. See, it is that simple!

Try this once, it actually works. Keep your ego aside for a while and initiate. Soon you will observe that you have started living even single moments too. 💙