Gujarat varsity to take leaf out of Kalam book

Some well-known autobiographies included in the syllabus are Mahatma Gandhi’s The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Narmad’s Mari Hakikat, Jai Shankar Sundri’s Thoda Asun Thoda Phool.

Dr Satish Vyas, head of the Gujarati department says, ‘‘Dr Kalam’s affection for students makes his autobiography more readable. It will be a different experience for them.’’

Dr Prasad Bhrambhatt, member of the board of studies at Gujarat University says, ‘‘Students have till now read autobiographies in the literary sense. This will be different in the sense that it has technical parts stating how missiles are developed and test-fired.’’

He says, ‘‘Dr Kalam’s autobiography will inspire students. His magnanimity, the ups and downs of his life, and the making of the Missile Man will have a positive affect on them.’’

It will also teach them that to achieve something, only one thing is required — will. Says Vyas, ‘‘Despite coming from a very poor family in Kerala and having studied through the Tamil medium, Kalam succeeded in becoming a top space scientist and later the President of India. This is very inspiring.’’

Mehul Panara, a student of Gujarati literature said, ‘‘Narmad was an 18th century reformist, Gandhi portrayed how life can be led on the basis of teachings in the Gita. Jai Shankar was an actor, he conveyed the same through Bhawai. Dr Kalam teaches the art of living in this age and how to overcome difficulties.’’

Another student, Kirit Parmar, said: ‘‘It will teach us how to dream. Dreams that can someday become a reality.’’