India has a rich heritage and a talented workforce, and is emerging as a knowledge society. Yet, over 26% of the population is below the poverty line; illiteracy and large scale unemployment persist. Over the years, the authors have interacted with people.

This book analyses the decisions of nations to develop indigenous space programs in order to become a leading world power.

This book demonstrates how technology and society shape one another and that there are intrinsic connections between technological experiences and social relationships. It employs an array of theoretical concepts and methodological tools to examine the technology–society nexus among three urban groups in India (traditional caste-based handloom weavers, subaltern Dalit communities, and informal female labour). It provides evidence of how innovations such as industrial technologies, communication technologies, and workplace technologies are not only about strides in science and engineering but also about politics and sociology on the ground. The book contributes to the growing research in innovation studies and technology policy that establishes how technological processes and outcomes are contingent on complex sociological variables and contexts. The author offers an inclusive, holistic, and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the field of innovation and technological change and development by involving various methodologies (network analysis, archival work, oral histories, focus group discussions, interviews). The book will serve as reference for researchers and scholars in social sciences, especially those interested in development studies, science and technology policy and innovation studies, information and communication technology (ICT) policy, public policy, management, social work and research methods, economics, sociology, social exclusion and subaltern studies, women’s studies, and South Asian studies. It will also be useful to nongovernmental organisations, activists, and policymakers.

"As India's 11th President, Abdul Kalam captured the hearts of people all over India. He threw open the doors of Rashtrapati Bhavan to the general public. He invited schoolchildren to attend the function to appoint him President of India. He hated being addressed as 'Your Excellency', and told people not to do so. Abdul Kalam was the first scientist to occupy the highest office in the land. He is known for his powerful intellect and his humility. He is an example to us all."

This book contains the text of the Singapore Lecture delivered by A P J Abdul Kalam on 1 February 2006.

An Inspirational Journey : Pratibha Devisingh Patil The First Woman President of India - is an attempt to understand the life and works of the First Citizen of India prior to her occupying the coveted position. In the late fifties and early sixties when the discouraging forces against women were predominant, Pratibhatai excelled in academics. It was her will power, conviction and purity of purpose which propelled her into politics and finally elected to be the First Woman President of India, only sky is the limit. Pratibhatai's life is a story, her journey in life has been so eventful, her achievements are so large and varied. She has had a political career which kept moving upwards, gradually and steadily, till she finally reached the pinnacle. She humbly attributes her success to the Almighty and to the People of India. The book is a progressive effort to illustrate her political participation as well as her attachment towards the family and emerged her a winner on both the fronts effectively. Simply her achievements are so large and varied that they need to be narrated - ';Those who do not speak about themselves need to be spoken about.'