Sonam Wangchuk, often described as the real-life inspiration for Aamir Khan’s Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots, is one of Ladakh’s most celebrated innovators. An engineer by training, he has dedicated his life to education reform, sustainability, and community-driven solutions in the Himalayan region.
Early Years
Born in Uleytokpo near Leh, Wangchuk grew up in a village with almost no access to schools and was taught at home until the age of nine. His father’s move to Srinagar gave him exposure to a formal education system, though he struggled with languages and cultural differences. At 12, he left for Delhi on his own and later studied engineering at the Regional Engineering College in Srinagar, now NIT Srinagar.
SECMOL and Innovations
In 1988, Wangchuk co-founded SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh). The initiative focused on reshaping Ladakh’s education system with teacher training, practical learning, and culturally relevant curricula. SECMOL’s sustainable campus, built with eco-friendly methods, went on to win the International Terra Award in 2016.
Wangchuk also developed the Ice Stupa project, an innovative artificial glacier system designed to solve Ladakh’s chronic water shortages. His efforts to blend traditional wisdom with modern science earned him the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018.
Funding License Controversy
Recently, Wangchuk’s institute came under scrutiny when its license under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was cancelled, cutting off access to international funding. This has raised concerns among his supporters about the future of his projects, many of which rely on global collaborations.
The MHA attributed Wednesday’s mob violence and arson in Ladakh to the “provocative” speeches made by Wangchuk with references to Arab Spring-style protests and the Gen Z outpouring in Nepal.
Wangchuk, however, alleged that the government was building a case to put him behind bars.
