Dr. Lakhbir Singh Sokhi was born on February 5, 1949, to S. Joginder Singh Sokhi and Swarn Kaur in the ACC cement factory colony in Lakheri, District Boondi, Rajasthan. His father migrated from Punjab to work as a machinist at the cement factory, where they faced challenges such as losing their agricultural land to local hooligans. Despite these hardships, his father completed his engineering diploma and joined the cement factory. He studied in the ACC company school until the seventh grade, where he gained an early reputation for his academic and extracurricular involvement, including delivering a speech in English about Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

However, seeking better educational opportunities, his father relocated him to Khalsa School in Tarn Taran, Punjab, where the change in the medium of instruction from Hindi to Punjabi presented challenges. Despite this, he thrived, particularly in science subjects, which were taught in English. During his higher secondary years, he started a poultry farm to assist a fellow classmate who could not afford college education. This experience fostered a sense of independence and financial self-reliance.

After completing his higher secondary education from Punjab University, he pursued his undergraduate studies in non-medical science at D.A.V. College, Amritsar, against his father’s wishes, who preferred that he follow a vocational path. Balancing his studies with managing the poultry farm was challenging but rewarding, providing him with financial stability throughout his college life.

He faced significant adversity during his second year of college when he and his classmates were wrongfully arrested following riots at Amritsar Railway Station. Branded as anti-social elements, the incident, along with managing the poultry farm, affected his academic performance. Nonetheless, he completed his graduation. However, the competitive job market offered little in the way of career opportunities for science graduates at the time.

He was admitted to Heald’s Engineering College in San Francisco, USA, but the depreciation of the Indian Rupee in 1966 forced him to reconsider his plans for studying abroad. Later, in 1971, the outbreak of the India-Pakistan war led to blackouts that caused his poultry farm to fail due to power outages.

Following the failure of his poultry business, he shifted his focus to international trade. He started his own firm, The New Standard Export Enterprises, and initially secured a large order, but bureaucratic hurdles and banking policies hindered his success. Frustrated by these challenges, he became involved with the Indian Society of International Law and gained valuable insights into international trade laws.

His interest in industrial consultancy led to his groundbreaking work in food processing, where he invented a cost-effective vegetable dehydration process. His innovation earned him recognition, and he was awarded the Vijay Shree Award in 1998 and the “Gem of India” award in 2000. His research on solar technology has since been successfully implemented in Madhya Pradesh.

He continues his work as human rights activist in the field of Judicial Reforms and earned a Ph.D. (Hon) Legal Studies. He is recognised of his contributions in industrial innovation and public service.

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