The Sarnia Journal has partnered with local photographer Art Connolly to feature his captivating “Humans of Sarnia” series as he delves into the lives and experiences of everyday people in Sarnia/Lambton.
From a young age, Navneet Sandhu was drawn to creativity. Born in India, he grew up in a family that valued discipline and education, but his imagination always pulled him toward the arts. “My parents wanted me to learn classical music,” he recalls, “but I was more interested in other genres.” When he first picked up a bass guitar, something clicked. The sound, the rhythm, the energy—it all felt right.
While studying electronic and instrumentation engineering, Navneet quickly realized that academics weren’t his only calling. “I wasn’t a top student,” he says with a laugh. “So, during my first year, I joined a band as a bass player and started touring across India.” He and his bandmates played hard-hitting covers of AC/DC and Iron Maiden—bands that shaped his musical identity and gave him confidence. “There was a rush performing live,” he says. “Music gave me my voice, my confidence, and a sense of identity.”
Despite his passion for music, Navneet stayed true to his engineering roots, eventually completing his degree and joining Honeywell in 2017. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Itisha—also an engineer—at a Christmas party through work. “We ended up singing together that night,” he smiles. “And that’s how it all started.” Navneet and Itisha both come from what he calls “engineer families.” His father, a power plant engineer, recently retired, while her father is a process and chemical engineer.
Their careers soon took them across the world. Having lived apart during the early years of their relationship, they knew how challenging distance could be. Because of the nature of their work, it was possible they would continue living on opposite sides of the world for years, and that distance would eventually take a toll. “We realized that something had to change.” They decided that Itisha would return to school at the University of New Brunswick to earn her MBA—a move that would eventually bring them back together.
In 2019, Navneet joined Siemens, which sent him to Germany and South Korea before he was able to reunite with his wife in Fredericton. “We loved Fredericton,” he says warmly. “Everyone was so friendly. Itisha had a lot of friends there who became my friends, too.”
When Itisha completed her MBA, she was offered a position with Paton Controls in Sarnia. Navneet smiles as he remembers their move. “We packed the car so full that I couldn’t even see the rearview mirror—just the side mirrors—and drove from New Brunswick to Sarnia in the middle of winter” he laughed.
He was able to transfer his Siemens position to Canada and has since been promoted to lead a small team. “I love my job,” he says proudly, “but what I love even more is where we are now.”
When asked about life in Sarnia, his answer was immediate: “I love it! There’s something special about smaller communities like Sarnia. It’s peaceful, calm, and there’s a strong sense of acceptance and belonging. People are kind here.”
Navneet, Itisha, and their two-year-old son, Ivaan, now call Sarnia home. “We’ve lived in so many places,” he reflects, “but Sarnia is where we’ve stayed the longest. Our son was born here, and that creates a special bond. It feels like home.”
Recently, the family celebrated Ivaan’s second birthday at Canatara Park with Navneet’s parents visiting from India. “They loved it here,” he shares. “They went for walks at Centennial Park every day and said they never felt like they were in a different country. People would stop to talk with them and make them feel welcome. They took wonderful memories back with them.”
Navneet’s creative side continues to thrive alongside his professional life. In addition to music, he has developed a passion for photography and videography—particularly using drones to capture the natural beauty of Sarnia. “It’s such a scenic place,” he says. “Every time I go out with my drone, I find something new—Lake Huron sunsets, the Blue Water Bridge, Canatara Park—it’s all so beautiful.”
Balancing art and engineering have been a lifelong theme for Navneet. “From the beginning, I wanted to become an engineer,” he explains, “but my creative side was always there. My parents were a bit worried at first when I got deep into music—there’s no guaranteed income in the arts—but now they’re proud. They see that I’ve managed to build a career and still stay true to my creative self. "Children sometimes need to understand that parents are not against their passion but they don’t want to see them poor in the future ”
Music remains an important part of his life. “I still have my instruments at home, these days I play more acoustic guitar, but I also play keyboard and drums. Music still gives me energy—it’s something I’ll never let go of,” he said.
As he reflects on the path that brought him from India to Sarnia, Navneet smiles. “Life has taken us to many places,” he says, “but Sarnia feels different. It’s where our son was born, where our family feels settled. That’s what makes it home.”
Humans of Sarnia founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens. Follow his series on Instagram and Facebook.
