Ramdev declines Padma Vibhushan, recommends it for 'great' person

Yoga guru Ramdev Saturday declined the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, saying that while he was grateful for being chosen for the honour it should be given to someone else and not a "sanyasi".

Ramdev, in a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, said he was grateful that the government thought of his name, which he got to know from media reports, but the honour could be given to some other great person.

"I urge you to give this honour to somebody doing something great. I would be grateful to you," he said.