Former Indian president, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s last book “Advantage Indian” was launched internationally at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) yesterday (Wednesday) taking place at the Expo Center until November 14.Dr Kalam, a well-known scientist who was affectionately called “Missile-man” died last July, and is remembered as the people’s president. Sheridon Harry, Dr Kalam’s personal secretary, and Srijan Pal Singh, co-author of the book, also spoke about the 11th President of India. Dr Kalam came to SIBF in 2013 and Harry said he shared H.H. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi’s passion for books and a vision for growth that was deep rooted in knowledge advancement. He also said that reading on gadgets can never match the feel of a physical book.
In a speech filled with compassion Harry said: “Books were Dr Kalam’s favourite friends and he discussed everything he read, taking notes and discussing new ideas as he read the book, I now know why books are our best friends. The only message I spread from his life is, make reading a daily business. However, his life has been greater than this. A poet, teacher, scientist and president, he was the ambassador of kindness, knowledge and progressive thinking. If there is a president who can call two sets of clothes and thousands of books his home, then it is Dr Kalam.”
Author and social entrepreneur, Srijan Pal Singh, said Dr Kalam had completed 99% of the book before he died. “Dr Kalam tried to provide insight into the growth potential of new initiatives, such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat in the book as well as skills development and Smart Cities and hurdles in the realisation of these goals in next five years,” said Singh. “The book also touches on reformation of the Indian education system as it burdens children with information that has not been updated and the fact that the government needs to focus on the welfare of teachers. Before realising Digital India, we need a comprehensive development plan for digital literacy in India.”Singh also touched on topics of politics and corruption. He said: “The number of millionaire politicians and members of parliament with criminal records have been growing after every election. We need strict regulations on money rolled into political campaigns. Dr Kalam wanted the youth to see politics as a career option and to reform the country.”
He added that if every child sitting in the audience can be taught to think “What Can I Give” instead of “What Can I Get” in his everyday life, just like Dr Kalam did, it would make the future peaceful and prosperous. Initiatives such as “Give your Mother a smile” has 500,000 volunteers who are making their mothers smile by every good action they do, he said.From 2009 onwards Singh worked with Dr Kalam and co-authored two bestsellers with him, “Advantage India” and “Target 3 Billion” which was published in December 2011. The event also recognised the top ten winners of the essay writing competition organised as a part of the “A tribute to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam” and was held throughout October in various schools across the UAE. The book was launched by Muralidharan, the Deputy Consul General for labour welfare and community affairs, Indian Embassy, Dubai.