Pune: Sakal Group Director Bhausaheb Patil (55) passed away on Thursday following brief illness. He was being treated at a private hospital in Pune city for the last few days. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Bhausaheb Patil hailed from Bamani village of Kagal tehsil in Kolhapur district. Last rites will be performed at his native village on Friday early morning.

Bhausaheb Patil worked in Sakal Media Group for the last 34 years. He joined Sakal as a trainee engineer in 1986 at Kolhapur. He adapted to the latest technologies and played an important role in implementing reforms and new technologies in the Sakal Media Group.

Bhausaheb Patil relocated to Pune from Kolhapur. He worked in different departments of the group and brought advanced technologies in the day to day functioning of the organisation. He played a crucial role in modernising and expanding the production department of Sakal Media Group.

Bhausaheb Patil was instrumental in increasing the usage of computers in the company. He established a printing press for different editions of Sakal. He also contributed to the improvisation of circulation of Sakal newspaper. He established a printing press at Goa, Solapur, Aurangabad and Nagpur.

Bhausaheb Patil was awarded by the WANIFRA. He was keen to increase the digital and other technologies in different departments of Sakal Media Group.