Turning Points By A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Description

In Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam starts up where Wings of Fire left off and tells the story of his time as Principal Scientific Adviser and then as the 11th President of India without holding back. This is hardly a clean chronicle of official responsibilities and pre-written remarks. Instead, Kalam talks about the worst times in his public life, as when science and politics met, when idealism and bureaucracy fought, and when the weight of office strained a single man’s ambition for India.

Kalam starts with a surprise call from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, telling him to come back to Delhi. This was a turning point that put him in the middle of administration. He talks about late-night meetings to plan missile development and nuclear policy, showing how strategic needs often clashed with diplomatic pressures from around the world. Readers get a rare look at how decisions are made about India’s defense projects, where every technical triumph could lead to criticism from other countries.

Kalam talks on more than just national security; he also talks about how hard it is to get things done when policies are stuck. He talks about pointless meetings with politicians who don’t believe him, the frustration of seeing initiatives that are progressing too slowly put on hold, and the emotional cost of being honest in a world where politics rules. He doesn’t shy away from controversy; he talks about the opposition he got for supporting private-sector cooperation in space exploration. This position got him credit for being innovative and criticism for being seen as biased toward business.

Along with these high-stakes stories are touching stories from Kalam’s trips around India. In a dusty school in rural Bihar, he talked to children whose dreams were bigger than their means. In a village that had been hit by a flood, he learned how community spirit and tenacity can help people get through tough times. These short stories show what Kalam really believed: that India’s real change doesn’t just come from big ideas, but from giving every child the power to dream and every citizen the power to act.

Kalam’s trademark style, which is both straightforward and poetic, is a big part of this work. He talks about failure with the same honesty as he does about accomplishment, reminding us that “man needs his difficulties to enjoy success.” He gives useful advice on how to do a “dream audit,” the necessity of working together across disciplines, and the relevance of mentoring young people to help them find their way. He is hopeful, but he also knows that India has social and environmental problems that need to be dealt with quickly and with care.

By the end of the book, Turning Points is more than just a memoir of a president; it’s a guide to how to lead when things go tough. Kalam asks each reader to find their own turning points, to see failures as lessons, and to keep their curiosity alive, no matter how hard the route may seem. This book is a raw, inspiring monument to the power of endurance, integrity, and vision, whether you’re an engineer, a policymaker, a student, or just a citizen looking for meaning in life.

About the Author

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist renowned as the “Missile Man of India” for his pivotal role in the nation’s civilian space and military missile development. He served as India’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007 and inspired millions through his teaching and writing. Kalam authored bestselling works including Wings of Fire and Turning Points, and remained committed to education and youth empowerment throughout his life. 

Product Details

• Title: Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges

• Author: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

• ISBN‑13: 9788189928385

• Publisher: Penguin Books India

• Published: 2012

• Pages: 320

• Binding: Paperpack