JK group Chairman Gaur Hari Singhania passed away today following a heart attack. Singhania (80) was also the President of J K Organisation and a Promoter Director of JK Cement Ltd since its inception in 1994.

A sports lover, he was also the chief patron of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association's (UPCA). He is survived by a son, Yadupati Singhania.

He was cremated this afternoon at Bhagwat Das Ghat in the city. Expressing his condolence, CMD of Jagran Prakashan Mahendra Mohan Gupta said Singhania was a true well wisher of Kanpur city, where he was born on June 12, 1935.

"Gaur Babu not only promoted sports-related activities in Kanpur and the state but also participated in all industrial activities and made the city proud of that," said Gupta, who is also former President of the Merchant Chamber of Uttar Pradesh.

"Singhania not only managed his family business but also promoted cricket and other sports. He had founded Dr Gaur Singhania Cricket academy, which has produced cricketing talents for the state and country," Gupta added.

The BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, who is also the secretary of UPCA, condoled the death of Singhania today.

JK Group Vice President Lalit Khanna said under Singhania, Sir Padampat Singhania Bridge Academy    was opened to promote bridge as a sports.

In the field of education, he contributed to various universities and had opened an university at Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Singhania held Chairmanship in other Companies including, Jaykay Enterprises Ltd, JK Cotton Ltd and JK Traders Ltd.

He also served as Chairman of Merchants of Uttar Pradesh, the Employers Association of Northern India. Apart from that he was the founder chairman of UP Stock Exchange and founder patron of Associated Chamber of Commerce.

Besides, he served as Director in various corporations, such as in Pradeshiya Industrial Investment Corporation of Uttar Pradesh, UP State Industrial Development Corporation and Uttar Pradesh State Sugar Corporation