Hubballi: Senior industrialist, cricket enthusiast and founder of BDK Sports Foundation, Bharat Khimji, 83, passed away in Hubballi on Thursday morning. Baba Bhusad, trustee, BDK Sports Foundation, told TOI that Khimji was admitted to a hospital two days ago and returned home. Unfortunately, on Thursday morning, he passed away. He established many industries, including Akay Industries. Khimji had a great love for cricket and established BDKSF, providing opportunities to hundreds of young players. BDKSF contributed significantly to the development of cricket in the North Karnataka region. MP Basavaraj Bommai condoled Bharat Khimji’s demise. In a post on social media, he said that Khimji was a guiding light for many young entrepreneurs. His hard work, farsightedness and value-based approach were major contributions to the industrial sector. Union minister Prahlad Joshi expressed his condolences and said that Khimji was awarded the ‘Vanijya Ratna’ by KCCI in 2009 for his achievements in the industrial sector. He is credited with making Hubballi known as the ‘Valve Capital of India’, he said.
