Kalam, the author catching on in South Korea

Books written by President A P J Abdul Kalam have captured the interest of South Korean youth, if an offer made by a professor of this country to translate his latest book Guiding Souls into Korean is any indication.

Dr Ok Jung Lee, a 51-year-old professor of Sociology at the Catholic University at Daegu, met Kalam and the book's co-author Professor Arun K Tiwari on Tuesday night and offered to translate Guiding Souls, just a year after she had translated Kalam's previous book Wings of Fire.

Kalam, whose power point presentations on impact of science on a nation's life, has charmed South Koreans, has consented to Dr Lee's offer.

Asked what special traits she found in the Indian President to translate two books in as many years, Lee said Kalam has emerged as "the guiding soul of Korean youth" and Wings of Fire made a "profound impact" since its publication which is reflected in its good sale in the areas around universities.

When Kalam asked Lee what could be the reason behind the popularity of Wings of Fire in Korea, she replied "Your book has provided a new perspective of patience and generosity to Korean youth growing in a highly competitive society. Your love for your parents and teachers, particularly to your mother, has welled many Korean eyes."

"We are keen to present your latest book to our students in their language," the author said. Kalam presented Lee a signed copy of Guiding Souls.

"The impressive scientific achievements of Kalam remained rooted in his righteous simplicity and that is what made him a role model over so many other successful heroes of contemporary history," Lee said.

"I see in Kalam the image of our King Sejong who energetically promoted learning throughout his 32-year reign in the 15th century," Lee said.

"Kalam's celebration of his family, teachers and hard work in Wings of Fire is identical to King Sejong statement: "All that I am, or will be, I have learned from my family, my friends, my teachers, and training with my sword."

Lee said she had already gone through the book and found it in sync with the Korean thought that revolves around harmony of all forms of life and natural forces in the cosmos.

"Koreans have historically derived inspiration from Western Pure Land – as India is known here. Right from Gautam Buddha and Princess of Ayodhya, who married Korean King Suro in the first century, to Rabindranath Tagore and now you, India is seen as a beacon of light," she said.

Later Dr Lee and Prof Tiwari prepared the outline of a mission networking Indian and Korean youth in a constructive manner.

"There is bit of unfamiliarity amongst the younger generation about India that has to be dispelled and proper perspective created," Lee said adding "I am going to work with President Kalam and Prof Tiwari to explore a developmental spirituality that provides youth certain laws of success grounded in our great oriental heritage."

Also read:

Five books Kalam wants kids to read

Images: Kalam in the Philippines