Dr Ajit Bhart, a popular former Mayor of the town of Bicester near Oxford, died on Thursday following a heart attack. He was 70.
Hailing from Punjab, Dr Bhart was the Mayor of Bicester from May 2006 until May 2007. He had been both town and district councillor. He worked for numerous organisations and spent much time promoting Anglo-Asian relations.
"He was the head of the whole Bhart clan. He was well respected in both the UK and in India. He was a supportive father, ambitious and always encouraged us to get the best out of our education," said Bhart's daughter Pinder.
A funeral service will be held on Monday at the Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara in Bicester.
