Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on July 18, 2026, after being starved at Jantar Mantar after entering on the 21st day. The Delhi Police said this was done following medical advice and directives from the Delhi High Court over concerns about her health. His supporters had gathered at the protest site, where Mr Wangchuk went on a fast for demands related to non-compliance with competitive exams, including NEET-UG. Mr Wangchuk went on hunger strike in association with the student-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been demanding answers to exam-related issues and forcing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. The latest exhibition has brought attention to the changes in education, sustainable development and efforts to find solutions suitable for the Himalayan region.
Childhood shaped by educational opportunities
Born in 1966 near Alchi in Ladakh, Wangchuk’s early education followed an unconventional path. He did not go to school until he was nine years old as there was no school in his village. His mother taught him higher education in his own language. After his father joined the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1975, Wangchuk moved to Srinagar and later continued his education in Delhi at Vishesh Kendriya Vidyalaya. The transition exposed him to the difficulties students face in adapting to new languages and unfamiliar teaching methods. He completed his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from National Institute of Technology Srinagar, then known as Regional Engineering College, in 1987. He later studied Earthen Architecture at the Craterre School of Architecture in Grenoble, France, where he developed an interest in sustainable architecture.
SECMOL is an effort to transform the classrooms of Ladakh
After completing his engineering studies, Wangchuk returned to Ladakh and founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1988. The organization focuses on students who are struggling within the test-based education system. SECMOL promoted effective learning methods, local knowledge systems and greater student participation in learning. In 1994, Wangchuk joined Operation New Hope, an effort involving government departments, communities and community groups to improve education in Ladakh’s schools. SECMOL’s campus near Leh became a model for his approach to sustainable education. Built using solar architecture, the campus uses solar energy and traditional materials to keep the house warm in the cold winter months.
From educational technology to environmental solutions
Wangchuk later expanded his work on climate change and sustainability. In 2013, he launched the Ice Stupa system, which creates artificial glaciers to store water in the winter and release it in the spring, helping farmers in waterless mountain areas. This innovation solved the problem of water scarcity that people face due to timely availability of water for agriculture. They also developed solar-heated, carbon-free tents designed to provide energy-efficient shelters in the coldest high altitudes.
Building schools for other learning
For many years, Wangchuk worked on education policies and development strategies in Ladakh. He was the editor of the Ladakh print magazine, Ladags Melong, from 1993 to 2005 and contributed to the Ladakh Hill Council’s Vision Document, Ladakh 2025. He later founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), an organization that focuses on higher education and alternative education. He also founded FarmStays Ladakh, promoting regional tourism through local families.
Recognition of education and innovation
Wangchuk’s work has received national and international recognition. He received the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2016 for the Ice Stupa project and was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his contributions to educational reform and community-led development. His work also became popular after the release of the 2009 Hindi film 3 Foolsand many people associate him with the character Phunsukh Wangdu. However, actor Aamir Khan explained in July 2026 that the belief that Wangchuk directly inspired the character was a misconception.
From engineers and teachers to human rights activists
Wangchuk’s public work increased after Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019. He expressed concerns about environmental protection, local representation and security of the region. His recent hunger strike has put him at the center of discussions about exam reform and student concerns. However, his work over the years has been closely related to educational reform, sustainable engineering and solutions to the challenges Ladakh is facing.