Squaring the Circle: Seven Steps to Indian Renaissance

squaring the circleBy Arun Tiwari, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Universities Press (2013) 

The success of the IT industry and Indian human resources in global enterprises has made India a seemingly wealthy country. Even as the wealth has grown, the inequality has widened and many scams have surfaced. There was a logjam in Parliament and civil movements against corruption created an impression of anarchy and distrust. Amidst his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, Dr Abdul Kalam recalled the intellectual fight waged by Socrates against the rule of tyranny and he felt duty bound to express his concerns. Tony Judts words: Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today haunted him and sparked the desire to write this book.

Dr Kalam calls for an Indian Renaissance, which he describes in seven steps involving the common people of the land and in particular, the youth. He urges people to arise out of servitude to a vested ruling class, awake from the slumber of a passive democracy, and advance to manifest our destiny of a developed nation. He recommends that by turning inward and listening to the voice of our conscience, we can live a virtuous life and thereby build a strong and secure India.