The people of the country were not sympathetic about the delay in launching the AGNI missile. After repeated failures, Kalam addressed his team; he encouraged them and finally announced that AGNI will be launched successfully in the very next trial. His words rejuvenated his entire team and they began to work with renewed energy.

Several dignitaries were invited for the launch. On the eve of the launch, the Defense Minister asked Kalam how he wanted to celebrate the AGNI success. Kalam asked for a thousand saplings to be planted in their Research Centre. The next day, Mother Earth blessed them with the success of AGNI as it was a smooth launch.

Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, and a former President from 2002 to 2007. He is one of independent India’s most inspirational action and thought leaders. Popularly known as the ‘missile man’, he is admired for his contributions as an engineer and a scientist. As a ‘people’s President’, Dr Kalam developed a special rapport with children, whom he always encouraged to dream big.

Professor Arun K. Tiwari is the co-author of Wings of Fire, the autobiography of former President and Bharat Ratna A P J Abdul Kalam. As a former missile scientist who worked with Kalam, Tiwari is currently the managing director and CEO of Indo-US Healthcare.

Adopted for BookBox by Ananya Parthibhan.