Sonam Wangchuk Interesting Facts: Know interesting things about Sonam Wangchuk’s life. The journey from a child who did not go to school for 9 years to becoming a famous innovator, 10 interesting facts including Ice Stupa.
Sonam Wangchuk Success Story: Ladakh’s famous engineer, education reformer and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk is in the news these days. After his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his fast, the police took him to the hospital. Meanwhile, people’s interest in his life and work has also increased. Let us know 10 such things related to Sonam Wangchuk’s life, which gave her a different identity not only in India but all over the world.
Sonam Wangchuk could not go to school for 9 years
Sonam Wangchuk was born on 1 September 1966 in Uletokpo village of Ladakh. There was no school in the village at that time, so his early education was done by his mother at home. Later, when he reached school in Srinagar, he had to struggle a lot because of the language.
Childhood struggle became the biggest strength
Difficulties related to language and the education system at school made him understand that every child has different learning needs. This experience later became the foundation of his mission of education reform.
Chose the path of change, not job after engineering
He studied mechanical engineering from NIT Srinagar. Instead of doing a good job, he decided to work in the field of society and education.
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SECMOL changed the lives of thousands of students
In 1988 he started SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh). Here children are not limited to just books, but are also given practical education related to farming, solar energy, entrepreneurship and life.
Solution to water problem with ice stupa
To overcome the summer water shortage in Ladakh, he developed the Ice Stupa technology. The snow accumulated in winter slowly melts in summer and provides water to farmers for irrigation.
Environment protection became the biggest mission
Sonam Wangchuk believes that if the Himalayas are safe then the water source of crores of people will also be safe. With this thinking, he has been working on glaciers and environmental protection for a long time.
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Constantly experimenting on solar energy
He has done many experiments on energy saving buildings and solar technology. He has also contributed in preparing solar powered tents for the Indian Army.
Wife is also associated with education and social service
His wife Gitanjali J. Angmo is a social entrepreneur and educationist. She is the co-founder of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) and works on new models of education.
Got respect in the country and the world
Sonam Wangchuk was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018. Apart from this, he has received many national and international honors including the Rolex Award for Enterprise.
Supporter of learning from experience
Sonam Wangchuk always emphasizes on learning through experimentation and experience rather than rote learning. He believes that education should be such that it prepares children for the real challenges of life.
Sonam Wangchuk’s identity is not just that of an engineer or an education reformer, but of an innovator who attracted the world’s attention by finding new solutions even in difficult situations like Ladakh. His efforts in areas like education, water conservation, solar energy and environment still remain an inspiration for millions of people. At the same time, amid the news of his health deteriorating during the fast, the discussion about his life and contribution has once again intensified.