Janaki Ballabh Shastri refuses to accept Padma award again

Eminent Hindi poet Acharya Janaki Ballabh Shastri, who had on Republic Day refused to accept the Padma Shree, has done so once again. 

Angry over the Centre seeking his bio-data for the award, Shastri declined to accept the honour last evening, his family said today.

"Shastri feels slighted after receiving the request for his bio-data ... Does a poet of such a big stature require to submit a bio data ?" one of the members of his family said.

Shastri, after voicing his refusal on January 26 had later agreed to accept the award following persuasion from admirers and old friends.

"I had refused the gesture of awarding me the Padma Shree way back in 1994 ... It doesn't carry any meaning for me at this stage and age," Shastri, who is in his 80s had said when approached for his comment.

"My disciples and younger generation deserve the award more than me," he had said.

Acharya Shastri is the author of many well-known stories, novels, plays, essays, gazals, songs and biography in Hindi besides being a critic.  His famous works include 'Roop Aaroop', 'Teer Tarang', 'Meghgeet', 'Pashani', 'Tamsa' and 'Iravati'.

He has been conferred with various awards like Rajendra Shikhar Samman, Bharat Bharati Award and Shivpujan Sahay Award.