a. CE 201 - The Power of Prayer by APJ Abdul Kalam
Channel: Ishan Marvel
Date: 2020-09-16

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTSoWRKkWJTYMu6FhrV9JzlNVJaRU4HeI
APJ Abdul Kalam (1931-2015)
* Former President of India (2002-7), born at Rameswaram (TN) in a boatman's family.
* Studied Aeronautical Engineering at Madras Institute of Technology.
* A scholar, teacher, government advisor, defence scientist, etc.
* Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997) for contribution to India's space program and self-reliance in defence systems.
* Wrote inspiring books like his autobiography, Wings of Fire (1999) from which the current essay has been excerpted.

The Power of Prayer tells us about Kalam's childhood and the development of spirituality in him. 
* He had a secure childhood full of affection and care, with no lack of necessities.
* Grew up in an atmosphere of domestic and communal harmony.
* Kalam's father Jainulabdeen was a deeply spiritual man who believed that prayer unites people with each other and the universe; and that each individual is part of the divine Self with a particular role to fulfill on this Earth.
* His father's influence may be seen in Kalam's own spiritual awareness and humility when he says that all his achievements are due to God's work through him.
* Calls upon people to realise the divine fire within them, and give wings to this fire and rise, i.e. to make best use of the divine energy within us, as all religions say.
* THEME: Importance of education and environment -- maybe if all children are insured an emotionally and materially secure childhood, we'll have a lot more Kalams in this world.