Bharat Khimji was a noted industrialist, sports patron and philanthropist. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Eminent industrialist, sports patron and philanthropist Bharat Khimji passed away in his sleep in Hubballi on Thursday. He was 84.
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Bharat Khimji was born in what was then Bombay on December 16, 1942 and came to Hubballi in the 1960s.
He was instrumental in the growth of the valve industry in Hubballi and subsequently founded the BDK group of companies which made a name for itself in valve manufacturing.
An ardent sports lover, Bharat Khimji promoted cricket, table tennis and billiards and played a key role in setting up cricket infrastructure in North Karnataka.
He promoted cricket and other sports through Akay industries and then through BDK Sports Foundation, which he co-founded with Baba Bhusad in 1992.
Bharat Khimji has served various community and social service organizations in various capacities.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP MPs Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, Legislative Council Speaker Basavaraj Horatti, MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai, Prasad Abbayya and others mourned his demise.
The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the North Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association also mourned his demise.
Published – 05 Feb 2026 20:52 IST
