Siddeshwara Swamji, seer of the Vijayapura Jnanayogashrama has respectfully declined the Padma Shree conferred on him by the Centre. He made this decision public on Friday.
Earlier too, many universities had approached him seeking his permission to confer honorary doctorates and he had declined all of them in a similar fashion.
Various organisations had also come forward to award and recognise his contribution and he had turned them away.
"The government has conferred the Padma Shree on me without my consent. I am grateful for the recognition. There are many others who have served society. It is better to give them the award. I do not need it," Siddeshwara Swamiji said.
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