What are 5.5 million youngsters in India aspiring for? In an exclusive interview with Mid Day about his recent book spirit of India, former president dr APJ Abdul Kalam answers

Will India become a superpower by 2020? Does producing missiles lead to a peaceful world? Why does he sport a hairstyle like that? The people's President encountered many questions during his tenure. He tells us why it was important for him to answer them all.

Ignited Minds was ignited by a vivid dream about five men (Ashoka, Gandhi, Einstein, Lincoln and Caliph Omar). India believes in the mission of becoming a superpower by 2020. But Spirit of India is a collection of 'some of the most relevant and irrelevant questions' ever put to you. What prompted you to answer them?
Spirit of India is the result of meeting 9.5 million youth across India during my years as President. This book reflects the dreams, aspirations and pains of the young, through their questions and my answers. The young are very free with their opinions, open to discussions. One of the very important characteristics of a student is to ask questions and teachers should encourage that.