New Delhi, Nov 19 (ANI): The President Pratibha Patil on Thursday confirmed the nomination of senior journalist H.K.Dua and former Chairman of the Hindustan Lever Limited Dr. Ashok Sekhar Ganguly to the Rajya Sabha.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué the President has nominated Dua and Ganguly to the Council of States to fill the vacancies caused due to the retirement of nominated members.

Both Dua and Ganguly are replacing the veteran film actor Hema Malini and journalist Chandan Mitra in the elder’s house.

Dua a distinguished journalist has served as editor for over 15 years in four leading national dailies. He has been the Editor of the Hindustan Times, Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express and Editorial Advisor of The Times of India. He has served as Press Advisor to two prime ministers, and was India’s Ambassador to Denmark before taking up his present assignment with The Tribune six years ago.

He was conferred Padma Bhushan in 1998.

Ganguly a former chairman of the Hindustan Lever Limited is also in the panel of Prime Minister’s Council for Trade and Industry. (ANI)