Yoga guru Ramdev and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have declined any Padma award for them reportedly being considered by the government on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day.
In a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Ramdev referred to media reports that the government was considering his name for Padma Vibushan, the second highest civilian award but felt that as an “ascetic” he should refrain from accepting “rewards or honours.”
Ramdev requested the Home Minister instead to select some other deserving person for the award.
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“I should be allowed to serve selflessly and the award should be given to some other deserving person,” Ramdev was quoted as saying in his letter to the Home Minister.
Ravi Shankar took to Twitter to inform about his decision.