: Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s meeting with Pramukh Swamiji, spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayanan, had changed his approach towards life, said Arun Tiwari, co-author of many of Kalam’s books.
Kalatheetham, the Malayalam translation of Transcendence , My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji, co-authored by Tiwari, will be released here on Saturday. The book published by the Current Books will be released by eminent writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
Kalam and Swamiji had nothing in common. Swamiji doesn’t know any language other than Gujarati. He didn’t know anything about missiles. But both of them communicated simple things,” recalled Mr. Tiwari.
In Transcendence , Kalam with his co-author Tiwari, maps a journey of self-realisation reflected in the compassionate eyes of Swamiji, painting an open-hearted portrait of the fusion of spirituality, science and leadership. Kalam describes in the book how his path has been illuminated by Swamiji’s words and loving presence.
Tiwari recalled that during the first meeting with Kalam, Swamiji asked him, “Though you have contributed many technological innovations to the country, what have you done for making Indians good human beings.”
Transcendence has three parts. First part is about 13 meetings between Kalam and Swamiji over a period of 14 years. Second part deals with activities of BAPS Swami Narayan Sanstha and third part is about fusion of spirituality and science. Drawing from lives of great scientists and creative leaders, the book captures the essence of all regions.
Since Swamiji was already 94-years old, Kalam wanted to finish the book as early as possible. Kalam presented the copy of the book to Swamiji last June.
Dr. Kalam used to say that he realised that basis of all problems in the world tarts from the focus I and mine.
After meeting with Swamiji Kalam spend more time with children. He used to say that repairing a completed house was difficult. But will be easy to remould it in the initial stage.
Arun Tiwati, a member of Kalam’s team recalled that Kalam was a tough boss to work with. He co-authored many book of Dr. Kalam including his autobiography â€~Wings of Fire’.
As a missile scientist, he was airframe designer and project manager (system integration) in the first three AKASH missile development flights. Mr. Tiwari set up first link of Pan-Africa e-network of Telecommunications Consultants Indian Ltd. The network connects universities and hospitals across the African Continent with their Indian counterparts. He teaches at the School of Management Sciences in University of Hyderabad as adjunct professor.
