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Ready To Fire: How India and I Survived the ISRO Spy Case
A top scientist is falsely accused of selling space technology secrets. A police inspector's misadventure with a Maldivian woman results in a fabricated espionage case. A faction within a political party capitalises on the case to bring down a government. An intelligence agency obligingly plays into the hands of vested interests to slow down India's space programme. And a complex investigation finally proves the allegations untrue.
In this riveting book, Isro scientist S Nambi Narayanan - who was falsely accused of espionage in ISRO spy case of the 1990s - and senior journalist Arun Ram meticulously unpick the ISRO spy case, revisit old material and discover new details to expose the international plot that delayed India's development of a cryogenic engine by at least a decade.
It took four years for the CBI to exonerate Nambi, but his fight for justice to ensure action against the officers who faked the case and tortured him in custody continues.
This book is as much a history of the early days of India's ambitious space programme as it is a record of one of the most sensational cases that enthralled the nation long before the era of online updates and 24-hour news cycles.
In this riveting book, Isro scientist S Nambi Narayanan - who was falsely accused of espionage in ISRO spy case of the 1990s - and senior journalist Arun Ram meticulously unpick the ISRO spy case, revisit old material and discover new details to expose the international plot that delayed India's development of a cryogenic engine by at least a decade.
It took four years for the CBI to exonerate Nambi, but his fight for justice to ensure action against the officers who faked the case and tortured him in custody continues.
This book is as much a history of the early days of India's ambitious space programme as it is a record of one of the most sensational cases that enthralled the nation long before the era of online updates and 24-hour news cycles.
372 pages, Hardcover
Published March 18, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
October 13, 2021
This is the only book so far which left me absolutely flabbergasted !
It’s a brilliant book; kind of an autobiography of the author with the fake ISRO spy case as fulcrum of the book.
It starts on 30th Nov 1994 with the arrest of S Nambi Narayanan ji and then apparates you back & forth between past and present. Nambi Narayanan ji’s journey, tenacity & contribution to ISRO are all legendary to say the least.
But the very fact that such a well known person with contacts worldwide & to the upper decks of the GoI was dragged & made the center of a FAKE spy case is absolutely unbelievable & shocking.
It all started with just vengeance for an unsuccessful sexual gesture of a policeman. But once it started different people from different walks of life - politics, police, administration, compromised IB, media - found something to add to it just to settle down old scores. And OF COURSE the invisible hand of the CIA to stall ISRO’s progress.
The concoction was so real and with so much of intricate details that anybody even with brains would have believed and they did believe it. It took 4 years for CBI to burst the bubble - but does that erase the blot once put on the accused? Does this give back those 15 lost years of progress back to ISRO?
Going through the case details from IB and contradictory evidences from CBI, it makes you wonder what all cases are there in this country that are actually blatantly false!
Shall we ever know? Only time will tell...
It’s a brilliant book; kind of an autobiography of the author with the fake ISRO spy case as fulcrum of the book.
It starts on 30th Nov 1994 with the arrest of S Nambi Narayanan ji and then apparates you back & forth between past and present. Nambi Narayanan ji’s journey, tenacity & contribution to ISRO are all legendary to say the least.
But the very fact that such a well known person with contacts worldwide & to the upper decks of the GoI was dragged & made the center of a FAKE spy case is absolutely unbelievable & shocking.
It all started with just vengeance for an unsuccessful sexual gesture of a policeman. But once it started different people from different walks of life - politics, police, administration, compromised IB, media - found something to add to it just to settle down old scores. And OF COURSE the invisible hand of the CIA to stall ISRO’s progress.
The concoction was so real and with so much of intricate details that anybody even with brains would have believed and they did believe it. It took 4 years for CBI to burst the bubble - but does that erase the blot once put on the accused? Does this give back those 15 lost years of progress back to ISRO?
Going through the case details from IB and contradictory evidences from CBI, it makes you wonder what all cases are there in this country that are actually blatantly false!
Shall we ever know? Only time will tell...
November 23, 2021
This is one hell of a read. We don't come across such books in the field of Indian Space and Technology often enough. This book is not only a biography of Dr. Narayanan on his travails with a made up case against him. A case that grabbed the national attention with voyeuristic pleasure, and lost him years of his work and family life. But it also takes us through behind the Indian Space Mission scene.
The scene which the closer you look the more you feel it to be some corporate blueprint of power, greed, competition, sabotage rather than how we visualize our scientists - geeky, understated, lost in their own world of newer discoveries. The book also reveals how the first world nation sabotage and derail the progress of another nation when they feel threatened or challenged. This second point is not so new to me having read The Confession of An Economic Hitman by John Perkins, which was an opening account. But the impact of the events described by author here was no less.
The readers may not be very impressed with the author, he doesn't pull any punches not even while writing about himself. They may also be divided in their opinion on the ISRO Spy Case. However, what they cannot fail to appreciate is the grim realities of what we have lost as a nation because of our system, powerful people's greed for more power and international meddling. One could just hope that the various agencies can learn their lessons from the past to build a stronger nation for tomorrow.
The scene which the closer you look the more you feel it to be some corporate blueprint of power, greed, competition, sabotage rather than how we visualize our scientists - geeky, understated, lost in their own world of newer discoveries. The book also reveals how the first world nation sabotage and derail the progress of another nation when they feel threatened or challenged. This second point is not so new to me having read The Confession of An Economic Hitman by John Perkins, which was an opening account. But the impact of the events described by author here was no less.
The readers may not be very impressed with the author, he doesn't pull any punches not even while writing about himself. They may also be divided in their opinion on the ISRO Spy Case. However, what they cannot fail to appreciate is the grim realities of what we have lost as a nation because of our system, powerful people's greed for more power and international meddling. One could just hope that the various agencies can learn their lessons from the past to build a stronger nation for tomorrow.
June 16, 2019
Nambi Narayanan's journey, in his own words. The autobiographical book begins from his childhood and quickly takes you through his journey till he became a rocket scientist. The scientist talks about his time in France where he got to work with French scientists. Having returned to India and taken up the cryogenic project he gets falsely implicated in a fake spy case. He has in detailed talked about everyone of his encounters with IB, Kerala Police and media persons. In the end the fake espionage case on him was actually India's loss as the project had been stalled for so many years. The book also mentions the role folks like R B Sreekumar, the secular brigade hero and the poster of Teesta Setalvad gang, also the late M K Dhar former IB officer who has authored another book Open Secrets and his contribution in fixing Nambi Narayanan. It's a must read book for every patriot/nationalist.
January 8, 2019
This is a book that movies are made out of. Yet they show how the fiction of movies is so often based on truth which is stranger than fiction.
A cooked up spy story emanating from a rebuffed sexual advance of a Kerela Police Inspector to a seemingly helpless Maldivian woman takes a life of its own when the perpetrators create lie after lie to advance their conspiracy theory. And in the process they embroil a senior scientist of ISRO, responsible for our development of the liquid propulsion engine that has powered so many PSLV flights.
If that wasn’t enough masala, the politicians decided to use the story as a means of settling scores and grabbing power by falsely implicating a senior police office close to the then incumbent govt and forcing the CM to resign.
The author, the senior scientist himself, presents an absolutely lucid and detailed description of the case that was foisted upon him and the ill-treatment he and the others were meted out by the Kerela Police and the IB as they tried hard to make lies stick.
Fortunately for him, the case was so far fetched from reality and the investigating IB team so incompetent that the lies didn’t stick and the CBI was able to get closure on the falsehoods. But not before the perpetrators, which active help from the Kerela government, attempted to drag on the case to save their skin as they had been named in CBI’s confidential report on the role of the investigating agencies.
Mr Nambi Narayanan’s book is equally fascinating as it gives the reader a ring side view of the development of India’s liquid propulsion engine as well as the evolution of ISRO and its politics which has delayed India’s efforts in outer space. The author, bitter from his experience and a seemingly straight forward gentleman by nature, holds back no punches as he talks freely about his disagreements with APJ Abdul Kalam and various others at ISRO. He presents a rather human side of himself, and not just that of a glorified victim, when he talks of his own pettiness during this saga as he ensures his fellow accused and former colleagues lose their Rs 500 while in jail or his sheer hatred in seeing Mariam, the Maldivian woman with whom the whole saga started.
A very easy read, written with a lot of precision and detail. The plot moves quite easily between the ISRO and Nambi’s past and weaves in the present controversy.
Spoiler alert:
One point stood out to me as rather strange. Why would D Sasikumaran offer to help a Maldivian woman he has bumped into at the airport to the extent of pulling favours for school admission. Maybe he is just one of those helpful guys!!!
A cooked up spy story emanating from a rebuffed sexual advance of a Kerela Police Inspector to a seemingly helpless Maldivian woman takes a life of its own when the perpetrators create lie after lie to advance their conspiracy theory. And in the process they embroil a senior scientist of ISRO, responsible for our development of the liquid propulsion engine that has powered so many PSLV flights.
If that wasn’t enough masala, the politicians decided to use the story as a means of settling scores and grabbing power by falsely implicating a senior police office close to the then incumbent govt and forcing the CM to resign.
The author, the senior scientist himself, presents an absolutely lucid and detailed description of the case that was foisted upon him and the ill-treatment he and the others were meted out by the Kerela Police and the IB as they tried hard to make lies stick.
Fortunately for him, the case was so far fetched from reality and the investigating IB team so incompetent that the lies didn’t stick and the CBI was able to get closure on the falsehoods. But not before the perpetrators, which active help from the Kerela government, attempted to drag on the case to save their skin as they had been named in CBI’s confidential report on the role of the investigating agencies.
Mr Nambi Narayanan’s book is equally fascinating as it gives the reader a ring side view of the development of India’s liquid propulsion engine as well as the evolution of ISRO and its politics which has delayed India’s efforts in outer space. The author, bitter from his experience and a seemingly straight forward gentleman by nature, holds back no punches as he talks freely about his disagreements with APJ Abdul Kalam and various others at ISRO. He presents a rather human side of himself, and not just that of a glorified victim, when he talks of his own pettiness during this saga as he ensures his fellow accused and former colleagues lose their Rs 500 while in jail or his sheer hatred in seeing Mariam, the Maldivian woman with whom the whole saga started.
A very easy read, written with a lot of precision and detail. The plot moves quite easily between the ISRO and Nambi’s past and weaves in the present controversy.
Spoiler alert:
One point stood out to me as rather strange. Why would D Sasikumaran offer to help a Maldivian woman he has bumped into at the airport to the extent of pulling favours for school admission. Maybe he is just one of those helpful guys!!!
December 31, 2018
Years ago I remember laughing to a forwarded SMS joke about a desperate Kerala Police tying up a lion to tree, beating him up so as to elicit the confession that he is a bear.This book is a realistic version of that joke.Nambi Narayanan might be a familar name amongst Indian rocketscience enthusiasts. The ISRO scandal which led to K Karunakaran stepping down as the CM was in the headlines recently when the Supreme Court awarded a compensation to Nambi Narayanan for the unnecessary torment he went through.
This book consists of two narratives, a dream and a nightmare alternating in a cinematic fasion. The nightmare is what the author's life became after the accusation and arrest, while the dream narrative is about a young Nambi Narayanan and his memories in the Indian Space program.I found this arrangement of chapters reminiscent of Christopher Nolan's movie 'Memento'. Sadly this technique interferes with the flow of the book.
This book and Eachara Warriers book 'Memories of a Father', which I read earlier this year, are chilling stories about the follies of Kerala Police. It got me wondering on the reliability of our investigation and intelligence services, and the system in general. There are other mysteries tucked in the book that were not properly addressed - like why did the government decide not to conduct an autopsy after Vikram Sarabhai's untimely and mysterious death,just because his wife requested not to? Why is that the people responsible for the scandal were not punished?
The tone and pacing of the book though honest can be painstakingly slow at times. This is probably beause I do not share the author's enthusiasm for rocketscience. Nambi Narayanan comes across as a witty many whose childish curiosity could've pushed India up a few notches in scientific achievement if it weren't for the ordeal he had to face through.
What perked up my ears were the descriptions of his interactions with the pioneers of India's Space Program- especially Sarabhai and Kalam. You get the feeling that these men were beyond ordinary. Vikram Sarabhai could call the PM and she would pick up. I am driven to pick up Sarabhai's autobiography to understand more about the man.Recommended.
This book consists of two narratives, a dream and a nightmare alternating in a cinematic fasion. The nightmare is what the author's life became after the accusation and arrest, while the dream narrative is about a young Nambi Narayanan and his memories in the Indian Space program.I found this arrangement of chapters reminiscent of Christopher Nolan's movie 'Memento'. Sadly this technique interferes with the flow of the book.
This book and Eachara Warriers book 'Memories of a Father', which I read earlier this year, are chilling stories about the follies of Kerala Police. It got me wondering on the reliability of our investigation and intelligence services, and the system in general. There are other mysteries tucked in the book that were not properly addressed - like why did the government decide not to conduct an autopsy after Vikram Sarabhai's untimely and mysterious death,just because his wife requested not to? Why is that the people responsible for the scandal were not punished?
The tone and pacing of the book though honest can be painstakingly slow at times. This is probably beause I do not share the author's enthusiasm for rocketscience. Nambi Narayanan comes across as a witty many whose childish curiosity could've pushed India up a few notches in scientific achievement if it weren't for the ordeal he had to face through.
What perked up my ears were the descriptions of his interactions with the pioneers of India's Space Program- especially Sarabhai and Kalam. You get the feeling that these men were beyond ordinary. Vikram Sarabhai could call the PM and she would pick up. I am driven to pick up Sarabhai's autobiography to understand more about the man.Recommended.
November 10, 2018
Top Indian rocket scientist, women of foreign nationality, sex, misadventurist local police officer, dirty politics of Kerala’s Congress party, sencessitional vernacular media, purposefully biased investigative agency, opportunist and dishonest top police officials, invisible hand of foreign intelligence agency and turbulent timing of changing India, to be precise late 1994, all this culminated in fabricated espionage case which ruined life of innocent individuals and stalled development of cryogenic engine technology for India. This might sound a typical 1990’s masala Bollywood movie but this really happened and immensely lowered morals of ISRO scientist and delayed development of indigenous cryogenic engine at least by fifteen years. This autobiographical book of Nambi Narayanan, a top Indian rocket scientist who developed Vikas engine for PSLV with the help of French and one of the accuse of fabricated ‘ISRO Spy Case', gives detailed understanding of so called espionage case as well as narrates saga of development of Vikas engine. Apart from these two focus area, book throw light on initial days of Indian space program. Portrayal of Vikram Sarabhai, visionary chairman of ISRO and father of Indian space program, is nicely emerges from the book. Description of impeccable integrity of Satish Dhavan, third chairman of ISRO, dedication of APJ Abdul Kalam towards work, selfless patriotism of Kanwal Grover, Indian wine pioneer and middleman in Indo-French Viking-Vikas engine deal, drafting skill of ISRO administrative officer T N Seshan, and many others gives good understanding of their personalities. Book also narrates internal politics and power struggle within ISRO. Many anecdote of comedy of errors of naïve scientist, international deals and negotiation related to complex technology transfer, global space politics and other stories enriches our understanding of subjects. Parallel written story of fabricated espionage case and journey of author from mathematics lover to top Indian scientist is engaging, full of pride as well as pain. Nimbi's outburst, sometime with humor, some time with anger and most of the time as a rational and scientific observer is worth reading. To read a story he desperately wanted to tell those dishonest IB officers who tortured him and made him stand for thirty hours without food and water is one way to recognize his contribution towards the country and will soothe his wound to some extent.
April 16, 2019
Awesome read n huge salutes to people like Nambi narayanan who hv kept our country running.... You get to realise few things from this book
1) an engineers passion for delivery is the same across all engg fields
2) Russian scientists were generatuins ahead of their time.
3) surprising role of TN Seshan in our space journey
4) how international colloboration works
5) US has again been exposed as hypocrite when it preaches free capitalism to developing nations n will do anything to keep its oligarchs happy..
6) building a rocket is still not an easy task NOT because of scientific knowledge or engg skills but because of space race amongst world powers!!
7) sending a satellite into orbit n building new engines is a decade long endeavor n the hurdles an Indian scientist has to go thru...huge respect for all ISRO scientists..
8- cheap politics n media can stoop to any level for personal gains
On a personal note -
Most importantly QA rules!!! If u want a world class thing built u need world class testers n testing facilities!!!
1) an engineers passion for delivery is the same across all engg fields
2) Russian scientists were generatuins ahead of their time.
3) surprising role of TN Seshan in our space journey
4) how international colloboration works
5) US has again been exposed as hypocrite when it preaches free capitalism to developing nations n will do anything to keep its oligarchs happy..
6) building a rocket is still not an easy task NOT because of scientific knowledge or engg skills but because of space race amongst world powers!!
7) sending a satellite into orbit n building new engines is a decade long endeavor n the hurdles an Indian scientist has to go thru...huge respect for all ISRO scientists..
8- cheap politics n media can stoop to any level for personal gains
On a personal note -
Most importantly QA rules!!! If u want a world class thing built u need world class testers n testing facilities!!!
December 29, 2018
The trauma and politics and stories. What I faintly remember reading from Malayalam newspapers are heard from the horse's mouth. Its really painful to know the humiliations, attacks and conspiracies that crippled Indias Cryogenic "learning".
The real conspiracy (involvement of US) has to be thoroughly investigated and its fair tribute to this great scientist...
Though lot of ground work has been done by Nambi, he is hardly remembered outside of the "Spy case", and its a real shame to us Indians. Elsewhere he would have been an overnight star...
Till then Indian mediocrity attitude rules.
The real conspiracy (involvement of US) has to be thoroughly investigated and its fair tribute to this great scientist...
Though lot of ground work has been done by Nambi, he is hardly remembered outside of the "Spy case", and its a real shame to us Indians. Elsewhere he would have been an overnight star...
Till then Indian mediocrity attitude rules.
June 25, 2018
This case fascinated me when it was 1st reported. was wondering if it was money or sex or both.... and felt... if he really wanted those, he could have got more than he could handle if he emigrated to the West. must be something else. This book makes it clear , the something else was overriding. Cryotech is the future and scientists working on this are treated like this? really sad
July 7, 2020
Extraordinary narration. His life is an inspiration for all. Nambi ji's life teaches us how to stand by truth, how to fight back for true dedication that one should have towards their work and nation.
Thank you Nambi ji.
Thank you Nambi ji.
June 7, 2018
Ready to Fire : How India and I survived the ISRO is the biographical account of unsung scientist Nambi Narayanan who was falsely framed in the infamous ISRO spy espionage case. The book co written with journalist Arun Ram accounts for Nambi Narayanan 's tryst with developing the indigenous liquid propellant for rockets and hardships and disgrace faced by him and others accused in the espionage episode.
The book at times do have similar resemblance to Wings of Fire written by A P J Abdul Kalam in terms of his association and growth in ISRO. Author has clearly described his pain and humiliation during the investigation phase during which India had lost crucial 15 years in developing cryogenic rockets. The book clearly exposes the corrupt deep state political administration and investigation agencies who mishandled the case and provides clear information on the entire fiasco.
A book must read by every Indian to understand how less immune is our scientific institutions to international infilitration and will power of the Nambi Narayanan. Let the truth prevail.
The book at times do have similar resemblance to Wings of Fire written by A P J Abdul Kalam in terms of his association and growth in ISRO. Author has clearly described his pain and humiliation during the investigation phase during which India had lost crucial 15 years in developing cryogenic rockets. The book clearly exposes the corrupt deep state political administration and investigation agencies who mishandled the case and provides clear information on the entire fiasco.
A book must read by every Indian to understand how less immune is our scientific institutions to international infilitration and will power of the Nambi Narayanan. Let the truth prevail.
February 1, 2019
Every chapter is divided into two parts. First part narrates the ISRO spy vase while the second part is the story of Nambi!
The book is an amazing albeit the part at the end which is just an excerpt of CBI report!
Nambi is a great scientist and engineer that India was fortunate to have. The unfortunate spy case got his name stuck in shadow but with this book he is back, to the place he deserves among the public. The acknowledgment he deserves and the gratitude we owe is tremendous.
His story on how ISRO developed the liquid propellant rocket engine is a treat for any engineer!
The book is an amazing albeit the part at the end which is just an excerpt of CBI report!
Nambi is a great scientist and engineer that India was fortunate to have. The unfortunate spy case got his name stuck in shadow but with this book he is back, to the place he deserves among the public. The acknowledgment he deserves and the gratitude we owe is tremendous.
His story on how ISRO developed the liquid propellant rocket engine is a treat for any engineer!
September 24, 2018
A suggestion for those who keep non-fiction books in the not-so-interesting shelf.
February 10, 2019
Hope the movie is as good as the book.
August 10, 2019
It is an inspiring true story of a brave soul and also it happens to be my first book to read cover to cover for 3days at a stretch.
July 13, 2021
Can we just take a moment to acknowledge that India has HUGE potential, which is being wasted by the sluggish attitude and petty politics of this country?
ISRO is definitely an UNDERDOG that needs more appreciation. A LOT of secrets have been exposed in this book and along with that, a lot of information relevant to the field of rocketry has been provided which is a treat to aerospace engineers like me. This book not only throws light on the life of great scientist, padma bhushan Shri Nambi Narayanan, but also gives chronological details of the establishment of ISRO, the VIKAS Engine and the PSLV. This book explains with harrowing details, the fake ISRO spy case, the humiliation and torture that was meted on Narayanan and the collective conspiracy of the Big Bully (**USA**), internal politics that plague the country and how that stalled one of the most important projects in Indian Space history, the Cryogenic Engines. Along with that, this book is an important account of the early years of ISRO and throws light on the characters of its great founders, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr Satish Dhavan. The author's personal rapport with the two is one of the most important aspects of the book. I don't want to spoil the book by giving details, but I can say that if you are interested in the history of ISRO and really want to know how external powers cracked conspiracy after conspiracy against India, then you SHOULD read this book!
ISRO is definitely an UNDERDOG that needs more appreciation. A LOT of secrets have been exposed in this book and along with that, a lot of information relevant to the field of rocketry has been provided which is a treat to aerospace engineers like me. This book not only throws light on the life of great scientist, padma bhushan Shri Nambi Narayanan, but also gives chronological details of the establishment of ISRO, the VIKAS Engine and the PSLV. This book explains with harrowing details, the fake ISRO spy case, the humiliation and torture that was meted on Narayanan and the collective conspiracy of the Big Bully (**USA**), internal politics that plague the country and how that stalled one of the most important projects in Indian Space history, the Cryogenic Engines. Along with that, this book is an important account of the early years of ISRO and throws light on the characters of its great founders, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr Satish Dhavan. The author's personal rapport with the two is one of the most important aspects of the book. I don't want to spoil the book by giving details, but I can say that if you are interested in the history of ISRO and really want to know how external powers cracked conspiracy after conspiracy against India, then you SHOULD read this book!
February 9, 2021
This was my first read, about the other side of the real world of espionage, a poignant story of the loss of dignity and reputation of a brilliant scientist . 'Ready to Fire' presents the history of the Indian Space History during a very tumultuous time, Juxtaposed with the arrest and trial of the scientist, Nambi Narayanan, who was falsely implicated in a spy case which derailed the scientific progress of the nation.
How was such a brilliant and dedicated scientist falsely accused? Why did the nation allow it? The answers are very difficult to find. Finally, truth prevails and Nambi Narayanan was absolved of all charges and reinstated at ISRO. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, for distinguished service of high order in Science & Engineering-Space, one of the highest civilian awards of the country, in 2019. In this book, he recounts those difficult times, honestly.
He is completely honest while speaking about himself, giving us a glimpse into his brilliant yet sometimes flawed personality. He does come across as hot-headed and brash, at times, devoid of empathy. Sadly he admits to being a better scientist than a human being. Finally, he makes a confession: “I also realised now that I had not been a good father or a husband. Pursuing my passion in rocket engineering, which now appeared to me as an act in selfishness, I had ignored my dear ones.�
How was such a brilliant and dedicated scientist falsely accused? Why did the nation allow it? The answers are very difficult to find. Finally, truth prevails and Nambi Narayanan was absolved of all charges and reinstated at ISRO. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, for distinguished service of high order in Science & Engineering-Space, one of the highest civilian awards of the country, in 2019. In this book, he recounts those difficult times, honestly.
He is completely honest while speaking about himself, giving us a glimpse into his brilliant yet sometimes flawed personality. He does come across as hot-headed and brash, at times, devoid of empathy. Sadly he admits to being a better scientist than a human being. Finally, he makes a confession: “I also realised now that I had not been a good father or a husband. Pursuing my passion in rocket engineering, which now appeared to me as an act in selfishness, I had ignored my dear ones.�
October 4, 2019
The poignant incident in the life of one of outstanding ISRO Scientists, the trials and tribulation he had to undergo before exoneration in False Spy case is heartbreaking. Book is well-written must read
October 3, 2019
Best book I read, Its a fiction story with life in ISRO
Bet, once you start book, you can never stop till its complete
Bet, once you start book, you can never stop till its complete
August 3, 2022
To Thee I sing
My country 'tis of Thee
Sweet land of liberty
For all eternity………�
This book seeks to tell you how an ‘incident� involving a purportedly passionate police inspector’s endeavour to corner a Maldivian woman soon escalated into an espionage case; how a splinter group in the Congress party used it to bring down a government; and how India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) played into some foreign hands to stop the progress of India’s stride in space.
As time proved, the splendid plan botched.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) absolved all the six indicted and found the case to be ‘counterfeit.�
The leading investigating agency went to the degree of sending hush-hush reports to the Government of India and the Government of Kerala, naming officers of the IB and Kerala Police who made-up the case, and in quest of suitable action against them.
Twenty-three years after the man was mixed up in the case, his family was able to recover much of their smugness. His son and daughter no longer had to live as a conspirator’s children; the media considered him a phoenix.
But some of the harms the conspirators and their foot soldiers wreaked were permanent. His career and his wife’s mental calm were lost forever.
A nation ricochets faster than a family. India’s PSLV is today one of the most dependable and sought after rockets for satellite launches. India has developed its own cryogenic rocket engine to take heavier satellites to the geosynchronous orbit and send probes to the uncharted corners of the solar system.
But the ISRO spy case was able to delay India’s cryogenic engine by at least 15 years.
The author asks: ‘What does one gain from that?�
And he answers: ‘For one, a lot of money. India today offers to launch a satellite at a fraction of the price that NASA charges.
A 2015 report of the Colorado-based Space Foundation pegged the global space economy of 2014 at $330 billion, with a 9% growth over the previous year. Satellite launches and related commercial activities constitute 75% of it.
It is in public domain how the US applied sanctions on India and Russia in 1992, a year after the two countries signed a contract for transfer of cryogenic technology. Piece together the timing of the ISRO spy case and a few later incidents, including a top IB man being given marching orders for supping with the CIA, and you see the plot…�
There was a time when Nambi Narayanan wanted to end it all, but he had to live to tell the tale. And see his tormentors get their retribution.
This book is not an effort in vengeance. This is an experiment in something more powerful: reality.
My country 'tis of Thee
Sweet land of liberty
For all eternity………�
This book seeks to tell you how an ‘incident� involving a purportedly passionate police inspector’s endeavour to corner a Maldivian woman soon escalated into an espionage case; how a splinter group in the Congress party used it to bring down a government; and how India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) played into some foreign hands to stop the progress of India’s stride in space.
As time proved, the splendid plan botched.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) absolved all the six indicted and found the case to be ‘counterfeit.�
The leading investigating agency went to the degree of sending hush-hush reports to the Government of India and the Government of Kerala, naming officers of the IB and Kerala Police who made-up the case, and in quest of suitable action against them.
Twenty-three years after the man was mixed up in the case, his family was able to recover much of their smugness. His son and daughter no longer had to live as a conspirator’s children; the media considered him a phoenix.
But some of the harms the conspirators and their foot soldiers wreaked were permanent. His career and his wife’s mental calm were lost forever.
A nation ricochets faster than a family. India’s PSLV is today one of the most dependable and sought after rockets for satellite launches. India has developed its own cryogenic rocket engine to take heavier satellites to the geosynchronous orbit and send probes to the uncharted corners of the solar system.
But the ISRO spy case was able to delay India’s cryogenic engine by at least 15 years.
The author asks: ‘What does one gain from that?�
And he answers: ‘For one, a lot of money. India today offers to launch a satellite at a fraction of the price that NASA charges.
A 2015 report of the Colorado-based Space Foundation pegged the global space economy of 2014 at $330 billion, with a 9% growth over the previous year. Satellite launches and related commercial activities constitute 75% of it.
It is in public domain how the US applied sanctions on India and Russia in 1992, a year after the two countries signed a contract for transfer of cryogenic technology. Piece together the timing of the ISRO spy case and a few later incidents, including a top IB man being given marching orders for supping with the CIA, and you see the plot…�
There was a time when Nambi Narayanan wanted to end it all, but he had to live to tell the tale. And see his tormentors get their retribution.
This book is not an effort in vengeance. This is an experiment in something more powerful: reality.
September 13, 2019
An Autobiography of a man, a brilliant and visionary scientist who gave impeccable contribution to ISRO.
April 30, 2021
This book is full of stories on earlier days of ISRO and how the fabricated case of espionage held back India for so many years for its progress in space.
Thank you Jainish for the suggestion!
Thank you Jainish for the suggestion!
September 4, 2019
Brilliant Narration that you feel to be travelling through the Technology centres. The content is interesting, but shocking too. The brilliance of leaders like Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan has been well articulated.
March 12, 2019
The controversy and subsequent exoneration of the author was the reason I picked this book. However it proved to be much more than just than the story of Nambi Narayanan sirs wrongful incarceration.
It provides a very valuable insight into how ISRO came into being and also the work done by our many scientists in this field.
Considering most if our current communication and mobile technology used our satellites, it is amazing that at least some of this is not mentioned in our history lessons. For eg how 50 scientists from India paid with their work(man hours) for rocket launch technology from the French. It's sad that such stories are not more widely known or taught.
The writing is more of reporting and is factual and straight forward in most instances. I was left with a feeling of respect to these people including Dr. Nambi who plodded through ISROs many beauracratic hurdles and a desire to learn more about India's own space heroes, especially Vikram Sarabhai, father of India's space program.
It provides a very valuable insight into how ISRO came into being and also the work done by our many scientists in this field.
Considering most if our current communication and mobile technology used our satellites, it is amazing that at least some of this is not mentioned in our history lessons. For eg how 50 scientists from India paid with their work(man hours) for rocket launch technology from the French. It's sad that such stories are not more widely known or taught.
The writing is more of reporting and is factual and straight forward in most instances. I was left with a feeling of respect to these people including Dr. Nambi who plodded through ISROs many beauracratic hurdles and a desire to learn more about India's own space heroes, especially Vikram Sarabhai, father of India's space program.
March 21, 2019
It is a must read book for all Indians. Very well narrated and keep you going till the end without putting down the book.
Couple of things come out from the book apart from the main subject the book is about
How we are never told about those who are behind the success of Indian space programme. Vikram Sarabhai or Satish Dhawan, hardly anything about them in the school books. Secondly how idiotic we are that we don't understand what is good for our own country and our inability to find who are our real enemies. With this book, it is clear why the Rafale issue has been so heated up.
I hope the movie will do justice.
Lastly, I can only sympathise with the author for what he has gone through. Hope no one ever has to go through. A Padma Bhushan in 2019, is no match, but still the country has found grace to acknowledge his efforts in the space program even though late.
Hope the justice is served and guilty booked.
Couple of things come out from the book apart from the main subject the book is about
How we are never told about those who are behind the success of Indian space programme. Vikram Sarabhai or Satish Dhawan, hardly anything about them in the school books. Secondly how idiotic we are that we don't understand what is good for our own country and our inability to find who are our real enemies. With this book, it is clear why the Rafale issue has been so heated up.
I hope the movie will do justice.
Lastly, I can only sympathise with the author for what he has gone through. Hope no one ever has to go through. A Padma Bhushan in 2019, is no match, but still the country has found grace to acknowledge his efforts in the space program even though late.
Hope the justice is served and guilty booked.
September 24, 2018
Picked up the book thinking it will be a detailed report on the Nambi Narayanan Spy case, bloody espionage being the primary attraction; but this book is more than that; in fact it is Nambi's story of the Indian Space program and how key he was to it.
I do not have much interest in science, let alone science books but this book reinstated the belief that most of science (here rocket science) is indeed trial and error, spearheaded by passionate men like Kalam and Nambi.
The scientist is no writer, but has the ability to capture the thrill of the moment, for example the myriad feelings that a project director goes through before a launch. The book is also an account of how the weight of organisational structure comes in the way of innovation and how fabricated police cases can bring down careers.
I do not have much interest in science, let alone science books but this book reinstated the belief that most of science (here rocket science) is indeed trial and error, spearheaded by passionate men like Kalam and Nambi.
The scientist is no writer, but has the ability to capture the thrill of the moment, for example the myriad feelings that a project director goes through before a launch. The book is also an account of how the weight of organisational structure comes in the way of innovation and how fabricated police cases can bring down careers.
October 22, 2019
A balanced history with solid facts about scientific development and political downfall..
Insider history of the liquid propulsion system development and ISRO spy case, these two topics go in parallel in book.. on a history part, i havent read such a detailed facts about ISRO's evolution. all due credits are given to respective engineers,workers and all those involved in the process. Wrong doings of the people are also put forth with equal ferrocity. this could be one of the rare books explaining the ISRO history
on the part of spy case,all the details are given in ordered manner. all names are memtioned without any fear..
all in all,it was a treat to read to the person's thoughts who has very closely worked with people like vikram sarabhai and satish dhawan. definitely an inspiration for the coming generations.
Insider history of the liquid propulsion system development and ISRO spy case, these two topics go in parallel in book.. on a history part, i havent read such a detailed facts about ISRO's evolution. all due credits are given to respective engineers,workers and all those involved in the process. Wrong doings of the people are also put forth with equal ferrocity. this could be one of the rare books explaining the ISRO history
on the part of spy case,all the details are given in ordered manner. all names are memtioned without any fear..
all in all,it was a treat to read to the person's thoughts who has very closely worked with people like vikram sarabhai and satish dhawan. definitely an inspiration for the coming generations.
August 18, 2019
Excellent book and a treat to an engineer. I came to know the technical brilliance of ISRO scientists. And how even the premier agencies of India can have CIA moles. Language is easy and the story progresses like a movie with flashes from past and the two converge in the end. Feeling sorry for Mr. Nambi for the hurdles and torture. This book also gave me on how intelligent people think and look at the world.
October 11, 2018
How police and politicians manipulate the government for their personal ends and in the process spoiled the career of a scientist has been brought out in his book like a thriller. I don't think any compensation to the suffering of the scientist meets the ends of justice unless the guilty government servants are punished for filing false cases.
June 25, 2019
Nambi is as they call it was collateral damage in a huge cooked up conspiracy. This book reminds me of a quote from my uncle (retd govt officer from Tamilnadu)
"the Corrupt govt officials make more damage than a nuclear explosion and they should be shot in the head".
in times like these Good and honest govt officers are an endangered species.
"the Corrupt govt officials make more damage than a nuclear explosion and they should be shot in the head".
in times like these Good and honest govt officers are an endangered species.
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