New Delhi: Well-known Punjabi litterateur Amrita Pritam, noted Astronomer Jayant Vishnu Narlikar and former Chief Justice of India M N Venkatachalaiah have been selected for Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian awards.

Indian Cricket Captain Saurav Ganguly and his deputy Rahul Dravid have been honoured with Padma Shri.

Noted Bengali film director and actor Soumitra Chatterjee and veteran journalist M V Kamath have been nominated for Padma Bhushan.

Besides the three Padma Vibhushan awardees, 19 persons including noted Bollywood film director Sampuran Singh Gulzar and former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori have been honoured with Padma Bhushan and 74 with Padma Shri on the eve of Republic Day this year.

No one has been awarded the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna.