Gurbir Singh Sandhu, born in a farming family of village Ratta Khera (Punjab Singh Wala), Ferozepur he went on to build a successful and diverse career and achieved success as an Engineer, International Business Consultant, Olympian Sportsman, father of an Olympian Sportsman, Sports Administrator, Educationist, Motivational Speaker, passionate votary of the cause of farmers and youth.
Gurbir, has a restless soul which seeks change of status quo in all walks of life. He takes principled stands in matters of social importance and clean public life. He has inherited these traits as ‘virsa’ from his ancestors. The family has always played a significant role in Punjab politics, the SGPC and in founding of the Khalsa Educational Institutions in Sri Muktsar Sahib. They contributed to the Jaito Da Morcha and harboured Shaheed Bhagat Singh when he was a wanted fugitive from the British; and paid a price for that act. His grandfather Sr. Partap Singh and cousin Ravinder Singh were MLA’s a number of times. The family donated all the family gold to the Prime Minister’s Fund after the China War of 1962.
Following the 1984 Sikh Riots and the resignation by Capt. Amarinder Singh from the Congress, Gurbir joined him in forming the Sikh Forum. Thereafter he supported the Captain’s moves in political life, from Independent to Akali Dal (Longowal) to Congress. He always remained low key and sought no political office. Disillusioned with conventional politics, and desirous of change in public life, he supported Kanwar Sandhu of AAP in the 2017 Assembly election. He is now an ardent and active supporter of the Kisan Satyagraha.
In the sports arena Gurbir and his World Champion son Manavjit have many firsts. They have represented India on the shooting team as teammates, they are the only father son duo who are both Olympians and Arjuna Awardees (Manavjit is recipient of the Khel Ratna as well); between them they have served the Indian shooting team for 48 years!