NAGPUR: Renowned litterateur Manik Godghate, popularly known as Poet Grace in literary circles, has dashed the hopes of Nagpur University to honour him during its foundation day by refusing to accept Jeevan Sadhna award. The literary giant told TOI that he had refused the award "out of his own choice" and "not condemned or protested it".

Amazing Grace: Brilliant poet Manik Godghate to get Sahitya Akademi award in year 2011

To buttress his argument, Grace said "He thought he may not fit the bill of eminent persons (who had earlier received the award) when he saw the list of previous recipients. My conscience also did not permit me to accept the award as it is my way of leading life", Grace said.

The eight-decade-old institution will complete 86 years of its existence on August 4 and has organised a mega function to celebrate the occasion.

The university was established on August 4, 1923 with just six affiliated colleges and 927 students.

Every year, the university commemorate the occasion by presenting Jeevan Sadhna' award to eminent alumni who made the university proud. Last year, RSS ideologue M G Vaidya had received the coveted award.

Poetic genius Grace said vice-chancellor S N Pathan had visited his home and they had a healthy interaction. "The VC presented me with his book Takiche Ghao'. We discussed many issues. But when it came to Jeevan Sadhna', I gave him a letter explaining my stand on refusal to accept the award. No ill-thoughts or protest should be read in this decision. I am a creative person and loves to live in my own way," said Grace who likes to live in his own world, far away from the hustle-bustle of daily life.

Pathan also confirmed that Grace had politely' refused to accept Jeevan Sadhna' award and expressed his gratitude to the university for choosing him for the award.