Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he was inspired by the life of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the U.S., and urged the nation to read his biography.

"When I was young, I used to see Kennedy's pictures in Indian newspapers. His personality was very impressive. But your question is, who has inspired me. I liked reading as a child. And I got an opportunity to read the biography of Benjamin Franklin," said Prime Minister Modi in the joint 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address with President Obama.

"And I tell everyone, we should read Benjamin Franklin's biography. Even today, it inspires me. And Benjamin Franklin had a multi-dimensional personality. He was a politician, he was a political scientist, he was a social worker, he was a diplomat. And he came from an ordinary family. He could not even complete his education. But till today, his thoughts have an impact on American life," he added.