I am a well in this great land

Looking at its millions of boys and girls

To draw from me

The inexhaustible divinity

And spread His grace everywhere

As does the water drawn from a well.

My Journey: Transforming Dreams Into Actions is an account of unique experiences of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s life. This anecdotal autobiography gives an account of various transforming experiences that Dr. Kalam went through to become the man he is adored by the billions in the world!

In the introduction, Dr. Kalam speaks about an instance where he was asked an unusual question by Professor Arun Tiwari. ‘Kalam saheb, can you sum up your life so far in one sentence?’

The answer of Dr. Kalam was, ‘My life can be summed up in these phrases and words: love poured to the child…struggle…more struggle…bitter tears…then sweet tears…and finally a life as beautiful and fulfilling as seeing the birth of the full moon.’

The one sentence answer explains the inspiring and legendary simple life of Dr. Kalam.

Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam needs no introduction. Dr. Kalam was born on 15 October, 1931, at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. He specialized in aeronautical engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. Dr. Kalam is one of the most distinguished scientists of India and has received honorary doctorates from forty-five universities and institutions in India and abroad. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan (1981), the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997). He has also been awarded the King Charles II Medal (2007), the Woodrow Wilson Award (2008), the Hoover Award (2008), the International Von Karman Wings Award (2009) among other international accolades. Dr. Kalam became the eleventh President of India on 25 July, 2002.

My Father’s Morning Walk

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about about his experiences with his father, the morning walks, the nature and the way theses things brought a spiritual mindset in his life.

The Boat

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about the ferry built by his father, the curious nature of Dr. Kalam, the natural disasters and its affects.

A Working Boy at Eight

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about his experience as a newspaper delivery boy and how he helped his family as a young working boy.

Three Great Hearts Resolve a Problem

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about the harmony in Rameswaram. The way three spiritual heads of the small town maintain the harmony and the way they resolve a problem and upholds the universal brotherhood in the community.

My Mother and My Sister

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about the impact of his mother and his sister had on the success that Dr. Kalam achieved in his life.

This chapter begins with a heart-touching poem written by Dr. Kalam:

Sea waves, golden sand, pilgrims’ faith,

Rameswaram Mosque Street, all merge ito one,

My Mother!

My First Mentor: Ahmed Jalalluddin

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about the impact of Ahmed Jalalluddin, who later becomes Dr. Kalam’s brother-in-law had on the success that Dr. Kalam achieved.

When I Failed

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about the impact of various failure that became the stepping stone for the success in his life. Dr. Kalam writes: ‘I firmly believe that unless one has tasted the bitter pill of failure, one cannot aspire enough for success.’

My Favourite Books

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about his love for books, his obsession about reading, his favourite books, his favourite quotes from various books.

Dr. Kalam writes a poem about books to read out young people:

Books were always my friends

Last more than fifty years

Books gave me dreams

Dreams resulted in missions

Books helped me confidently take up the missions

Books gave me courage at the time of failures

Good books were for me angels

Touched my heart gently at the time

Hence I ask young friends to have books as friends

Books are your good friends.

A Brush with Fire

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about few accidents in his scientific career that deeply affected his soul.

After 1999 Arakkonam accident, dejected Dr. Kalam writes in his dairy:

The lamps are different

But the light is same

Worldly joys you returned to the world

You remain in my innermost soul.

Dr. Kalam further writes about nation-building as: ‘Political rhetoric alone does not build a nation unless it is backed by the power of sacrifice, toil and virtue. That is true nation-building.

Dr. Kalam gives out a message in this chapter – ‘Don’t pretend to be a candle, be a moth. Know the power hidden in serving. We seem to have got stuck with external forms of politics and mistake them to be nation-building. It is sacrifices, toil and valour that are seldom seen that truly make a nation.’

My Mentor: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about his experiences with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. The way Dr. Vikram Sarabhai instilled confidence, brought out the best in people is explained here. Dr. Kalam writes about the visionary Dr. Sarabhai’s way of working that is – to plan, to build, and to create. Dr. Kalam concludes this chapter with a very humble nature as: ‘If I have achieved………….’

A Life in Science

In this, Dr. Kalam writes briefly about his scientific adventures, the challenges the world of science thrust him in, the scientific set-backs he faced, the journey in the field of science and technology for the purpose of nation-building.

Miles to Go

In this, Dr. Kalam writes about his various visions for the nation, his presidency, his work post his term as the President. He concludes the book with: ‘any life that has lived to the full, when talked about with others, is a treasure house of thoughts and feelings that add lustre to the wonder that is life. In the process, if they also give my readers wings and help them to fire their dreams, I believe I would have played my small part in the scheme of life that destiny placed me in.’

In each and every page, Dr. Kalam touches the soul of the reader with his inspiring anecdotes. Dr. Kalam is the perfect example for the statement ‘People leading simple life do extraordinary things‘.

Dreams are not those that we see in our sleep; they should be the ones that never let us sleep