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'If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.'
- By Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam
Overview
A scientist, a president, a family man, these are just a few descriptions for Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam. He is mostly well-known for his contributions to the missile and nuclear developments of the country. As a child, he was opened to the struggles of life at an early age. While their family was well-off, they lost their family business due to modernity and hence, APJ Adbul Kalam has had to help with the family expenses at his young age. Still, he was able to succeed and even joined the Defense Research and Development Organisation as one of the scientific assistants of the department. By 2002, he became the 11th President of India. Thereafter the presidency, he continued to live a very simple life, inspiring youths and other individuals to live their lives to their full potential.
Books Written by Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam
During his lifetime, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam had also written many books. The topics range from autobiographies, to science, to politics, there's a wide variety in the genre of books he had authored. The table below highlights all the books written by the former president, the dates they were published, their genre, the language they were written in and whether they were co-authored or not.
List of All Books Written by APJ Abdul Kalam
| Title of Book | Date Published | Type | Language | Co-Written or Individually Written |
|---|
| India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium | 1998 | Reference | English | Co-Written |
| Agni Ki Udaan (Wings of Fire) | 1999 | Autobiography | English | Individually Written |
| Ignited Minds | 2002 | Self-Help | English | Individually Written |
| The Luminous Sparks | 2004 | Poetry | English | Individually Written |
| Envisioning an Empowered Nation: Technology for Societal Transformation | 2004 | Science and Technology | English | Individually Written |
| India My Dream | 2004 | Cultural | English | Individually Written |
| The Life Tree | 2005 | Poetry | English | Individually Written |
| Guiding Souls | 2005 | Family | English | Individually Written |
| Children Ask Kalam | 2005 | Memoir | English | Individually Written |
| Mission India: A Vision for the Youth | 2005 | Social Science | English | Co-Written |
| Enathu Vaanin Gnana Sudargal | 2006 | Essays | Tamil | Individually Written |
| Evolution of Enlightened Societies | 2006 | Lecture | English | Individually Written |
| School Topper: A True Story 1947 | 2006 | Children's Book | English/Hindi | Co-Written |
| An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments With Truth | 2006 | Autobiography | Hindi/English | Co-Written |
| Maanavar Agni Siragugal | 2007 | Autobiography | Tamil | Individually Written |
| You Are Born to Blossom | 2008 | Motivational | English | Individually Written |
| The Family and The Nation | 2008 | Sociology | English | Co-Written |
| Agnich Chiragugal | 2008 | Memoir | Tamil | Co-Written |
| Tejaswi Man | 2009 | Reference | English/Hindi | Individually Written |
| Hum Honge Kamyab | 2009 | Inspirational | Hindi | Individually Written |
| Mere Sapnon Ka Bharat | 2009 | Cultural | Hindi | Individually Written |
| Thirukkural: Pearls of Inspiration | 2009 | Autobiography | English | Co-Written |
| Spirit of India | 2010 | Sociology | English | Individually Written |
| Spirit of India | 2010 | Sociology | English | Individually Written |
| Agnipankh | 2011 | Literature | Marathi | Individually Written |
| A Lesson For My Teacher | 2011 | Children's Book | English/Hindi | Co-Written |
| Failure to Success | 2011 | Children's Book | English/Hindi | Co-Written |
| The Scientific Indian: A 21st Century Guide to the World Around Us | 2011 | Aeronautics & Astronautics | English | Co-Written |
| Target Three Billion: Innovative Solutions Towards Sustainable Development | 2011 | Urban Planning & Development | English | Co-Written |
| Bharat 2020 | 2012 | Cultural | Hindi | Individually Written |
| Abdul Kalam Vachanangal | 2012 | Essays | Malayalam | Individually Written |
| Thirupumunaigal | 2012 | Autobiography | Tamil | Individually Written |
| Inspiring Thoughts | 2012 | Inspirational | English | Individually Written |
| You Are Unique: Scale New Heights by Thoughts and Actions | 2012 | Self-Help | English | Individually Written |
| Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges | 2012 | Political & Memoir | English | Individually Written |
| My Journey Transforming Dreams into Actions | 2013 | Memoir | English | Individually Written |
| Ezhuchi Oottum Ennangal | 2013 | Autobiography | Tamil | Individually Written |
| Indomitable Spirit | 2013 | Self-Help | English | Individually Written |
| My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions | 2013 | Memoir & Historical | English | Individually Written |
| The Righteous Life: The Very Best of APJ Abdul Kalam | 2013 | Literature | English | Individually Written |
| Inklinks | 2013 | Poetry | English | Co-Written |
| Thoughts For Change: We Can Do It | 2013 | Spirituality & Philosophy | English | Co-Written |
| Squaring the Circle: Seven Steps to Indian Renaissance | 2013 | Social and Political | English | Co-Written |
| Meri Jeevan Yatra | 2014 | Biography | Hindi | Individually Written |
| Governance for Growth in India | 2014 | Politics | English | Individually Written |
| A Manifesto For Change | 2014 | Public Affairs and Economics | English | Individually Written |
| Forge Your Future | 2014 | Success | English | Individually Written |
| The Guiding Light: A Selection of Quotations from My Favourite Books | 2014 | Quotations | English | Individually Written |
| Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow's India | 2014 | Political | English | Co-Written |
| My Life: An Illustrated Autobiography | 2015 | Autobiography | English | Individually Written |
| My India: Notes for the Future | 2015 | Cultural | English | Individually Written |
| Parivartan Ki Rooprekha | 2015 | Autobiography | Hindi | Individually Written |
| Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges | 2015 | Political | English | Individually Written |
| Advantage India: From Challenge to Opportunity | 2015 | Cultural | English | Co-Written |
| Transcendence | 2015 | Religion & Spirituality | English | Co-Written |
| Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future | 2015 | Career for Children | English | Co-Written |
| Learning How to Fly: Lessons for the Youth | 2016 | Motivational | English | Individually Written |
| Songs of Life | 2016 | Poetry | English | Individually Written |
| I'd Rather Read: Your Favourite Authors on Their Favourite Books | 2016 | Young Adult | English | Co-Written |
In total, APJ Abdul Kalam had written 59 books in his lifetime. The books above are arranged accordingly, from the ones that were published the earliest and the ones published the latest, even after the death of the former president. The first book he wrote was the
India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium. He had written this book alongside Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan. This book was written even before APJ Abdul Kalam became president and highlights what the country can do, as a whole, to become one of the greatest powers by the year 2020.
Genres range very much, from autobiographies, even to children's books, sociology, inspirational and many more. The former president also wrote poetries during his lifetime with books such as
Inklinks and
Songs of Life highlighting his works. Most of his books were written in English and have been translated into various languages. Some though, were written in Indian languages such as the
Enathu Vaanin Gnana Sudargal, a collection of essays written in Tamil, and
Agnipankh, a literary book written in Marathi.
This list does not include some books to which the former president had written introductions or forewords for. Such books like
The Politickle Pickle: Cartoons & Caricatures and
The Fresh Brew, do not mainly include APJ Abdul Kalam as their author but he has written introductions and forewords for them.
Conclusion
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam has influenced and motivated many individuals to fulfil their dreams, no matter what their status in life is. His struggles are that of the typical Indian and he has emerged successful, which only makes his life more inspirational. His dream for India, to make the country a force to be reckoned with especially in terms of economic powers, is something that most citizens also dream of. All these books showcase the ideals of the former president and would also help you appreciate and love your country more.
