Dr Abdul Kalam inspires thousands at book fair

Schoolchildren are all ears to the speech being delivered by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at a session on the second day of the Sharjah International Book Fair on Thursday. — KT photos by Juidin Bernarrd

Former Indian president Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam spoke at three sessions at the 32nd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) on Thursday, inspiring thousands of UAE schoolchildren, parents, educators, and readers, answering questions, and signing copies of his many bestselling titles.

The prolific author and scientist was introduced as first speaker of the seminar, “The Birth of an Author in You” by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of the SIBF.

Al Ameri added that His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, founded the SIBF “with the vision that every young person in our society should have access to the independent knowledge and wonder that comes the moment an important book is opened”.

Taking the podium and acknowledging the SIBF as a festival of knowledge, Dr Kalam stated that he was delighted to meet with Shaikh Sultan upon his arrival to the UAE and added that he was amazed by the amount of feeling and focus the Sharjah Ruler extends in making his emirate a cultural centre.

Dr Kalam began his talk titled “Great Books Born out of Great Minds” by applauding the audience for being self-proclaimed book lovers. The main thread of his speech was that human beings are wired for stories and the brain uses literature to make sense of life’s experiences. He firmly believes that storytelling is a central component of leadership and cited India’s own Mahatma Gandhi and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela for using the power of the written word to reach out to the people with their respective autobiographies.

Speaking directly to the many schoolchildren present, Dr Kalam encouraged young people to commit to starting a small library with a minimum of ten titles.

Making his way to a ballroom absolutely packed to the brim with excited UAE students and their teachers, Dr Kalam engaged the young people in an interactive discussion concerning the responsibility of youth to live with a mission in their lives.

He also presented a keynote address titled ‘Soaring on Wings of Fire’ – a talk which shed light on his autobiography ‘Wings of Fire’ in which Kalam examines his early life, effort, hardship, fortitude and luck that eventually led him to become a public figure and leader in India.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com