My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Author:A.P.J. Abdul Kalam [Kalam, A.P.J. Abdul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9788129124913
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Published: 2013-09-01T04:30:00+00:00

henever I talk to the youth anywhere in India, I am invariably asked one question: which are your favourite books? Even though modern life has changed many of our habits, reading is one activity that is still popular in our country. From newspapers and magazines to books, there is no dearth of reading matter available to us. It is heartening that with the growth of the literacy rate in India, the demand for books of different kinds has grown. This shows, I think, that people are not just learning to read and write in school. They are also getting educated and improving their ways of thinking and sharpening their powers of understanding. Reading helps to build these invaluable qualities and the habit of reading can never be encouraged enough.

For me personally, books have always been close companions. I discovered some when I was very young, and have never forgotten them. They are like friends who have led me by the hand and guided me through life. Their words breathe meaning into many situations, for I use them to understand the world around me.

I have also come across many book lovers who have fanned my love of books. One person in particular who helped me out once by not buying a book comes to mind. This happened in Madras many years back, when I was studying at MIT. I had recently become interested in Russian literature, and had obtained a copy of a book that I was reading with great interest. However, it so happened that I also needed to go home for a few days and as always there was hardly any money in my pocket—not enough to buy a train ticket even for Rameswaram! I saw no way out other than selling the book I was reading in order to tide over this monetary crisis. The place where I went for all such transactions was called More Market in Madras. It was a covered shopping area where all manner of goods were available. But what interested me most was a narrow area towards the rear where second-hand books were bought and sold. There was one shop which I always visited, as the proprietor had become a friend. He had introduced me to many writers and helped me become a voracious reader by providing me with many interesting and uplifting books. That day, when I presented myself at his shop and told him that I needed to sell the book I was reading, he looked at me with a mixture of pity and sadness. He could see that I did not want to part with the book, yet he also understood my reason for wanting to do so. Then he came up with an idea that was brilliant in its simplicity and solved all my problems! Why didn't I leave the book with him as a sort of mortgage? He would loan me the amount he would have paid me for it. When I had the money I could return the amount to him and take back my book.

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