Friday 29 November 2013
ഒരു താകീത്
Thursday 28 November 2013
വിവാഹം കഴിഞ്ഞ് 21-ാം വര്‍ഷം ഇരട്ടക്കുട്ടികള്‍
വിവാഹം കഴിഞ്ഞ് 21-ാം വര്‍ഷം ഇരട്ടക്കുട്ടികള്‍
ആലപ്പുഴ: കുഞ്ഞിക്കാലു കാണാന്‍ 20 വര്‍ഷത്തിലേറെയാണ് കൃഷ്ണന്‍ പോറ്റിയും പങ്കജവും കാത്തിരുന്നത്.
കാത്തിരിപ്പിനൊടുവില്‍ പിറന്നുവീണത് ഇരട്ടക്കുട്ടികള്‍. രണ്ടും ആണ്‍കുട്ടികളാണ്.
അച്ഛനുമമ്മയും ആയപ്പോള്‍ കൃഷ്ണന്‍പോറ്റിയുടെ പ്രായം 51. പങ്കജത്തിന് 49ഉം. ഇരുവര്‍ക്കും നര കയറിക്കഴിഞ്ഞു.
കരുമാടി കൃഷ്ണാലയത്തില്‍ കെ. കൃഷ്ണന്‍പോറ്റി ജലഅതോറിറ്റി എടത്വ ഡിവിഷനില്‍ രണ്ടാം ഗ്രേഡ് ഡ്രാഫ്റ്റ്‌സ്മാനാണ്.
1992 ജൂണ്‍ ഒമ്പതിനായിരുന്നു ഇവരുടെ വിവാഹം. കൃഷ്ണന്‍ പോറ്റിയുടെ പൂര്‍വികര്‍ കര്‍ണാടകക്കാരാണ്.
അപ്പൂപ്പന്‍ ജോലി തേടി വര്‍ഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കു മുമ്പ് കേരളത്തിലെത്തിയതാണ്. ചേര്‍ത്തല വയലാറാണ് അച്ഛന്റെ സ്ഥലം. കരുമാടിയില്‍ അമ്മവീടാണ്.
കുട്ടികളുണ്ടാകാന്‍ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച ഇവര്‍ പല ആസ്പത്രികളിലും ചികിത്സ തേടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ഈ മാസം 12നാണ് മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജ് ആസ്പത്രിയില്‍ പങ്കജത്തെ പ്രസവത്തിനായി പ്രവേശിപ്പിച്ചത്. 25ന് വൈകിട്ട് 6.05ന് ശസ്ത്രക്രിയയിലൂടെ രണ്ട് ആണ്‍കുട്ടികള്‍ പിറന്നു.
ഡോ. അനസൂയ രാജീവിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തിലായിരുന്നു ശസ്ത്രക്രിയ. തീവ്രപരിചരണ മുറിയിലായിരുന്ന പങ്കജത്തെ വ്യാഴാഴ്ച വൈകിട്ടാണ് വാര്‍ഡിലേക്ക് മാറ്റിയത്. അമ്മയും കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളും സുഖമായിരിക്കുന്നു.
ആലപ്പുഴ: കുഞ്ഞിക്കാലു കാണാന്‍ 20 വര്‍ഷത്തിലേറെയാണ് കൃഷ്ണന്‍ പോറ്റിയും പങ്കജവും കാത്തിരുന്നത്.
അച്ഛനുമമ്മയും ആയപ്പോള്‍ കൃഷ്ണന്‍പോറ്റിയുടെ പ്രായം 51. പങ്കജത്തിന് 49ഉം. ഇരുവര്‍ക്കും നര കയറിക്കഴിഞ്ഞു.
കരുമാടി കൃഷ്ണാലയത്തില്‍ കെ. കൃഷ്ണന്‍പോറ്റി ജലഅതോറിറ്റി എടത്വ ഡിവിഷനില്‍ രണ്ടാം ഗ്രേഡ് ഡ്രാഫ്റ്റ്‌സ്മാനാണ്.
1992 ജൂണ്‍ ഒമ്പതിനായിരുന്നു ഇവരുടെ വിവാഹം. കൃഷ്ണന്‍ പോറ്റിയുടെ പൂര്‍വികര്‍ കര്‍ണാടകക്കാരാണ്.
അപ്പൂപ്പന്‍ ജോലി തേടി വര്‍ഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കു മുമ്പ് കേരളത്തിലെത്തിയതാണ്. ചേര്‍ത്തല വയലാറാണ് അച്ഛന്റെ സ്ഥലം. കരുമാടിയില്‍ അമ്മവീടാണ്.
കുട്ടികളുണ്ടാകാന്‍ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച ഇവര്‍ പല ആസ്പത്രികളിലും ചികിത്സ തേടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ഈ മാസം 12നാണ് മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജ് ആസ്പത്രിയില്‍ പങ്കജത്തെ പ്രസവത്തിനായി പ്രവേശിപ്പിച്ചത്. 25ന് വൈകിട്ട് 6.05ന് ശസ്ത്രക്രിയയിലൂടെ രണ്ട് ആണ്‍കുട്ടികള്‍ പിറന്നു.
ഡോ. അനസൂയ രാജീവിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തിലായിരുന്നു ശസ്ത്രക്രിയ. തീവ്രപരിചരണ മുറിയിലായിരുന്ന പങ്കജത്തെ വ്യാഴാഴ്ച വൈകിട്ടാണ് വാര്‍ഡിലേക്ക് മാറ്റിയത്. അമ്മയും കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളും സുഖമായിരിക്കുന്നു.
story of humanity made by animals !!!
After losing his parents, this 3 year old orangutan was so depressed he wouldn’t eat and didn’t respond to any medical treatments. The veterinarians thought he would surely die from sadness. The zoo keepers found an old sick dog on the grounds in the park at the zoo where the orangutan lived and took the dog to the animal treatment center. The dog arrived at the same time the orangutan was there being treated. The 2 lost souls met and have been inseparable ever since.
Monday 25 November 2013
Jonas Salk - polio vaccine inventor
ഈ ചിത്രത്തിൽ കാണുന്ന മനുഷ്യനെ നമ്മളിൽ എത്രപേർ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞേക്കും എന്നറിയില്ല . കാരണം പ്രശസ്തിക്കു വേണ്ടിയോ വ്യക്തിപരമായ നേട്ടത്തിന് വേണ്ടിയോ അദ്ദേഹം ഒന്നും ചെയ്തിട്ടില്ല . കണ്ടു പിടിച്ച മരുന്ന് ലോകത്തുള്ള സകലർക്കും, യാതൊരു ഭേദവും ഇല്ലാതെ ഉപകാരപ്പെടുന്നതിനായി അതിനു പേറ്റന്റ്‌ എടുക്കണ്ട എന്ന് തീരുമാനിച്ച മഹാത്മാവ് . ഇദ്ദേഹമാണ് Dr.ജോനാസ് സാൽക് (Dr.Jonas Salk), പോളിയോ വാക്സിൻ കണ്ടു പിടിച്ച വ്യക്തി .
പോളിയോ വാക്സിന് പേറ്റന്റ്‌ എടുത്തിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് നിഷ്പ്രയാസം ഒരു ശതകോടീശ്വരനാവാമായിരുന്നു . പക്ഷേ, ഇന്ന് എല്ലാ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങൾക്കും സൗജന്യമായി ലഭിക്കുന്ന പോളിയോ തുള്ളിമരുന്നു അനേകകോടി ദരിദ്ര മാതാപിതാക്കളുടെ മക്കൾക്ക്‌ അപ്രാപ്യമായി തീരുമായിരുന്നു . ഒരിക്കൽ , ഒരു ടെലിവിഷൻ അഭിമുഖത്തിനിടയിൽ അദ്ദേഹത്തോട് ചോദിച്ചു - യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ വാക്സിന്റെ പേറ്റന്റ്‌ ആരുടെയാണ് എന്ന് . ഐതിഹാസികമായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ മറുപടി - " പേറ്റന്റ്‌ എന്നൊന്നില്ല , സൂര്യനെ പേറ്റന്റ്‌ ചെയ്യാൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് കഴിയുമോ ?"
നമുക്കൊകെ അറിയാം സ്റ്റീവ് ജോബ്സ് ആരെന്ന്, നമുക്കറിയാം ബിൽ ഗേറ്റ്സ് ആരെന്ന്... പക്ഷേ അറിയാതെ പോവുന്നു , തന്റെ റിസർച്ചിന്റെ, ദീർഘതപസ്യയുടെ ഫലം ലോകത്തിനു സൌഖ്യത്തിനായി പ്രതിഫലം ഇഛിക്കാതെ വിട്ടു നല്കിയ മഹാനെ .
അന്യർക്ക് ഗുണം ചെയ്വതിനായുസ്സു വപുസ്സും ധന്യത്വമൊട് ആത്മതപസ്സും ബലി ചെയ്ത ജഗദ്ഗുരുവിന്റെ പാതയിൽ സഞ്ചരിച്ച , പ്രവൃത്തി കൊണ്ടും ജീവിതം കൊണ്ടും മാതൃകയായ ഒരു മഹദ്വ്യക്തിത്വത്തെ നമ്മൾ അറിയാതെ പോവരുത്
Sunday 24 November 2013
Indian order of precedence
The Order of precedence of the Republic of India is the protocol list[1] (hierarchy of important positions) in which the functionaries and officials are listed according to their rank and office in the Government of India. The order is established by the President of India, through the Office of the President of India and is maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is only used to indicate ceremonial protocol and has no legal standing; it does not reflect the Indian presidential line of succession or the co-equal status of the separation of powers under the Constitution. It is also not applicable to day to day functioning of Government of India.
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Paraplegic's Dream Bike Ride
Paraplegic's Dream Bike Ride
For 10 years, Sri Lestari stayed at home after a motorcycle accident left her paralysed from the chest down at the age of 23.
She felt “unhappy, unproductive and really depressed”.
Then she got a motorcycle specially modified to allow her to ride in her wheelchair.
“When I got my modified motorcycle, my life changed,” says the 39-year-old who relished the freedom of being able to “go everywhere by myself” again after a decade of being stuck at home.
But she’s not content to keep that freedom to herself, and wants “others to see this is possible for them too”.
Hitting the road
So she’s taking to the road, riding 1,212km from Indonesian capital Jakarta to popular holiday destination Bali, “to show that people with disabilities in Indonesia can live free, independent, productive and happy lives”.
“Disabled people in Indonesia still have difficulty getting out of their houses, because they have no access to transport, especially public transportation,” she explains.
“This trip would show people in Indonesia and around the world that having a disability doesn’t mean your life is over.”
In fact, using her own story as an inspiration for others is what she does daily.
“I spend my days visiting people with disabilities who just stay at home,” says Sri, who in 2009 joined United Cerebral Palsy, Wheels for Humanity as a social worker.
“They are surprised that I can live independently, go everywhere by myself on my modified motorcycle, and work a normal job.
“They are happy when they see me, because I am 'diffable', (differently abled), and I am a woman and I can work. I really want to share my experience - how I can be independent and healthy as a diffabled paraplegic.”
On her three-week bike ride, she plans to stop in different towns and cities along the way to speak to disabled folk at rehabilitation centres and parents of disabled children, and then speak at a TEDx event in Bali before flying home to Klaten, Central Java.
She also plans to visit homebound paraplegics on the trip to share her experience with them.
Her message? “They can be just like me: free and independent.
- See more at: http://www.ourbetterworld.org/story/paraplegics-dream-bike-ride#sthash.z9U3kkxg.dpuf
India surpasses US, China as most attractive investment destination: Survey
India surpasses US, China as most attractive investment destination: Survey
New Delhi: With relaxation in FDI norms to boost investor sentiments, India has emerged as the most attractive investment destination surpassing neighbouring China and the US, says a report.
The global survey of leading consultancy firm Ernst and Young (EY) has ranked India as the most attractive investment destination followed by Brazil and China at second and third positions, respectively.
While Canada has cornered fourth spot, the US is placed at fifth position. Other nations in the top ten are South Africa (6), Vietnam (7), Myanmar (8), Mexico (9) and Indonesia (10).
"With sharp currency depreciation and opening up of FDI in various sectors, India has become an attractive destination for foreign investors," EY, earlier known as Ernst & Young, said.
In August, the government announced relaxation in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms in many sectors, including multi-brand retail and telecom.
According to the global consultancy firm, due to the present macro-economic pressures and heavy debt pile, several Indian companies are looking to divest non-core businesses.
"This has created a large opportunity for foreign players vying for a greater role in the Indian market," it added.
When it comes to investments, the US, France and Japan have emerged as "top three investors likely to invest in India".
The findings are a part of EY's latest Capital Confidence Barometer report, based on a survey of about 1,600 senior executives from large companies across 70 countries. It aims to gauge corporate confidence in the economic outlook and understand boardroom priorities, among others.
With respect to India, sectors with the highest level of anticipated deal-making include automotive, technology, life sciences and consumer products.
About 38 per cent of the respondents felt that M&A volumes in India are expected to improve over the next 12 months.
"Indian companies also reflect a concerted focus on job creation as well as optimising operations to deliver cost reduction," the report said.
Amit Khandelwal, who is National Leader & Partner (Transaction Advisory Services) at EY, said the investor outlook for India remains positive, despite the challenges the country's economy has faced in the recent past.
On the other hand, the report said that Indian corporate entities have started looking at developed markets for making acquisitions.
"After two years, European countries (UK and Germany) have made a comeback on the potential investment destinations list for Indian companies," it added.
Thursday 21 November 2013
Sangam (1964)Movie Songs
Sangam (1964)Movie Songs
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6 Negatives lines, with positive meanings....
6 Negatives lines, with positive meanings....!!
1. Money can't buy happiness, but its more comfortable to cry in a
BMW than on a bicycle.
BMW than on a bicycle.
2. Forgive your enemy, but remember that bastard's name..
3. Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you
when he is in trouble again..
when he is in trouble again..
4. Many people are alive only because its illegal to shoot them..
5. Alcohol doesn't solve any problem, but neither does juice..
6. Smoking kills, but if you don't smoke, doesn't mean you'll never
die...!!
die...!!
Tuesday 19 November 2013
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Born in Boston in 1706, Benjamin Franklin organized the United States’ first lending library and volunteer fire department. His scientific pursuits included investigations into electricity, mathematics and mapmaking. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S Constitution, and negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which marked the end of the Revolutionary War.
Early Life
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston in what was then known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His father, Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker, had 17 children, seven with first wife, Anne Child, and 10 with second wife Abiah Folger. Benjamin was his 15th child and the last son.
Despite his success at the Boston Latin School, Ben was removed at 10 to work with his father at candle making, but dipping wax and cutting wicks didn’t fire his imagination. Perhaps to dissuade him from going to sea as one of his brothers had done, Josiah apprenticed Ben at 12 to his brother James at his print shop. Ben took to this like a duck to water, despite his brother’s hard treatment. When James refused to publish any of his brother’s writing, Ben adopted the pseudonym Mrs. Silence Dogood, and “her” 14 imaginative and witty letters were published in his brother’s newspaper, The New England Courant, to the delight of the readership. But James was angry when it was discovered the letters were his brother’s, and Ben abandoned his apprenticeship shortly afterward, escaping to New York, but settling in Philadelphia, which was his home base for the rest of his life.
Franklin furthered his education in the printing trade in Philadelphia, lodging at the home of John Read in 1723, where he met and courted Read’s daughter Deborah. Nevertheless, the following year, Franklin left for London under the auspices of Pennsylvania Governor William Keith, but felt duped when letters of introduction never arrived and he was forced to find work at print shops there. Once employed, though, he was able to take full advantage of the city’s pleasures, attending theater, mingling with the populace in coffee houses and continuing his lifelong passion for reading. He also managed to publish his first pamphlet, "A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain."
Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1726 to find that Deborah Read had married. In the next few years he held varied jobs such as bookkeeper, shopkeeper and currency cutter. He also fathered a son, William, out of wedlock during this time. In late 1727, Franklin formed the “Junto,” a social and self-improvement study group for young men, and early the next year was able to establish his own print shop with a partner.
Despite his success at the Boston Latin School, Ben was removed at 10 to work with his father at candle making, but dipping wax and cutting wicks didn’t fire his imagination. Perhaps to dissuade him from going to sea as one of his brothers had done, Josiah apprenticed Ben at 12 to his brother James at his print shop. Ben took to this like a duck to water, despite his brother’s hard treatment. When James refused to publish any of his brother’s writing, Ben adopted the pseudonym Mrs. Silence Dogood, and “her” 14 imaginative and witty letters were published in his brother’s newspaper, The New England Courant, to the delight of the readership. But James was angry when it was discovered the letters were his brother’s, and Ben abandoned his apprenticeship shortly afterward, escaping to New York, but settling in Philadelphia, which was his home base for the rest of his life.
Franklin furthered his education in the printing trade in Philadelphia, lodging at the home of John Read in 1723, where he met and courted Read’s daughter Deborah. Nevertheless, the following year, Franklin left for London under the auspices of Pennsylvania Governor William Keith, but felt duped when letters of introduction never arrived and he was forced to find work at print shops there. Once employed, though, he was able to take full advantage of the city’s pleasures, attending theater, mingling with the populace in coffee houses and continuing his lifelong passion for reading. He also managed to publish his first pamphlet, "A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain."
Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1726 to find that Deborah Read had married. In the next few years he held varied jobs such as bookkeeper, shopkeeper and currency cutter. He also fathered a son, William, out of wedlock during this time. In late 1727, Franklin formed the “Junto,” a social and self-improvement study group for young men, and early the next year was able to establish his own print shop with a partner.
Prominent Citizen
After publishing another pamphlet, "The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency," Franklin was able to purchase The Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper from a former boss, and was elected the official printer of Pennsylvania.
He was also able to take Deborah Read as his common-law wife in 1730, after her husband disappeared after stealing a slave. Their first son, Francis, was born in 1732 (although he died four years later of smallpox).
Franklin’s prominence and success grew during the 1730s, especially with the publication of Poor Richard’s Almanack at the end of 1732. Franklin amassed real estate and businesses, organized the Union Fire Company to counteract dangerous fire hazards,
Franklin’s prominence and success grew during the 1730s, especially with the publication of Poor Richard’s Almanack at the end of 1732. Franklin amassed real estate and businesses, organized the Union Fire Company to counteract dangerous fire hazards,
established a lending library so others could share his passion for reading, and was elected Grand Master of the Pennsylvania Masons, clerk of the state assembly and postmaster of Philadelphia.
The 1740s saw Franklin expanding into entrepreneurship with invention of the Franklin stove, and also into scientific pursuits. His pamphlet "A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge" underscored his interests. His beloved daughter Sarah was born in 1743. He became a soldier in the Pennsylvania militia at the age of 42, but his abiding interest in electricity was ignited at this time, too. He conducted the famous kite-and-key experiment in 1752 after some of his theories on electricity were published in England the previous year.
The 1740s saw Franklin expanding into entrepreneurship with invention of the Franklin stove, and also into scientific pursuits. His pamphlet "A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge" underscored his interests. His beloved daughter Sarah was born in 1743. He became a soldier in the Pennsylvania militia at the age of 42, but his abiding interest in electricity was ignited at this time, too. He conducted the famous kite-and-key experiment in 1752 after some of his theories on electricity were published in England the previous year.
Public Service
Franklin was tapped as a foreign diplomat and represented the Pennsylvania Assembly, and subsequently Massachusetts, Georgia and New Jersey, in England, but he continued to work toward colonial union and in 1766 supported the repeal of the Stamp Act.
In 1775, Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and as postmaster general for the colonies, having mapped the postal routes in 1762. And in 1776, he was one of five men to draft the Declaration of Independence. Franklin was also one of the 13 men who drafted the Articles of Confederation.
In 1775, Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and as postmaster general for the colonies, having mapped the postal routes in 1762. And in 1776, he was one of five men to draft the Declaration of Independence. Franklin was also one of the 13 men who drafted the Articles of Confederation.
Later Years
Much has been made of Franklin’s life in Paris as essentially the first U.S. ambassador to France, chiefly his romantic life. Deborah, his wife of 44 years, died in 1774, two years before he accepted the post, and Franklin had a rich romantic life in his nine years abroad. He even proposed marriage, to a widow named Madame Helvetius, at the age of 74, but she rejected him.
Franklin was embraced in France as much, if not more, for his intellectual standing in the scientific community and for his wit, as for his status as a political appointee from a fledging country. His reputation facilitated respect and entrees into closed communities, including that of King Louis XVI. And it was his adept diplomacy that led to the peace treaty with England in 1783 and other foreign alliances and trade treaties.
After almost a decade in France, Franklin returned to America in 1785. He was elected to represent Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention, which drafted and ratified the new U.S Constitution, and participated in electing George Washington as the country’s first president, inaugurated in April 1789.
He also served as president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, wrote many tracts urging the abolition of slavery and petitioned the U.S Congress for it in 1790.
Franklin was embraced in France as much, if not more, for his intellectual standing in the scientific community and for his wit, as for his status as a political appointee from a fledging country. His reputation facilitated respect and entrees into closed communities, including that of King Louis XVI. And it was his adept diplomacy that led to the peace treaty with England in 1783 and other foreign alliances and trade treaties.
After almost a decade in France, Franklin returned to America in 1785. He was elected to represent Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention, which drafted and ratified the new U.S Constitution, and participated in electing George Washington as the country’s first president, inaugurated in April 1789.
He also served as president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, wrote many tracts urging the abolition of slavery and petitioned the U.S Congress for it in 1790.
Successes and Failures
With so many of America’s early heroes, successes take the spotlight, while failures are rarely mentioned. But with any great entrepreneur the failures are just paving stones to the triumphs. Franklin himself said, “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”
He took his own advice. Franklin mapped the Gulf Stream, invented swim fins, the lightning rod and musical instruments, established colleges,
He took his own advice. Franklin mapped the Gulf Stream, invented swim fins, the lightning rod and musical instruments, established colleges,
Death and Legacyand amassed scores of other accomplishments. His self-education earned him honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Oxford University in England, and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
But he also began a magazine that failed, devised a new “scheme” for the alphabet that proposed to eliminate the letters C, J, Q, W, X and Y as redundant, and made disastrous political decisions that involved the leaking of letters, called the “Hutchinson Affair.” He also made an ill-advised recommendation for Pennsylvania’s stamp distribution that caused the public to misconstrue where he stood on American support. His own son William, whom he helped to achieve the governorship of New Jersey, opposed him on the unification of the colonies, which stung Franklin to the point where he mentioned it in his will almost 25 years later.
Franklin’s voracious capacity for knowledge, investigation and finding practical solutions to problems was his primary focus, as was his commitment to “doing good,” which led to the concept of paying it forward.
Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the home of his daughter, Sarah Bache. He was 84, suffered from gout and had complained of ailments for some time, completing the final codicil to his will a little more than a year and a half prior to his death. Franklin had actually written his epitaph when he was 22: The body of B. Franklin, Printer (Like the Cover of an Old Book Its Contents torn Out And Stript of its Lettering and Gilding) Lies Here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be Lost; For it will (as he Believ'd) Appear once More In a New and More Elegant Edition Revised and Corrected By the Author. In the end, however, the stone on the grave he shared with his wife read simply, “Benjamin and Deborah Franklin 1790.”
The image of Benjamin Franklin that has come down through history, along with the image on the $100 bill, is something of a caricature—a bald man in a frock coat holding a kite string with a key attached. But the scope of things he applied himself to was so broad it seems a shame. Founding universities and libraries, the post office, shaping the foreign policy of the fledgling United States, drafting the Declaration of Independence, publishing newspapers, warming us with the Franklin stove, pioneering advances in science, letting us see with bifocals and, yes, lighting our way with electricity—all from a man who never finished school but shaped his life through abundant reading and experience, a strong moral compass and an unflagging commitment to civic duty, and an overall wit, good humor and integrity. Franklin illumined corners of American life that still have the lingering glow of his attention. He was a true polymath and entrepreneur, which is no doubt why he is often called the First American. Perhaps it is a fitting image after all.
The image of Benjamin Franklin that has come down through history, along with the image on the $100 bill, is something of a caricature—a bald man in a frock coat holding a kite string with a key attached. But the scope of things he applied himself to was so broad it seems a shame. Founding universities and libraries, the post office, shaping the foreign policy of the fledgling United States, drafting the Declaration of Independence, publishing newspapers, warming us with the Franklin stove, pioneering advances in science, letting us see with bifocals and, yes, lighting our way with electricity—all from a man who never finished school but shaped his life through abundant reading and experience, a strong moral compass and an unflagging commitment to civic duty, and an overall wit, good humor and integrity. Franklin illumined corners of American life that still have the lingering glow of his attention. He was a true polymath and entrepreneur, which is no doubt why he is often called the First American. Perhaps it is a fitting image after all.
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
