By Eshita Bhargava

Copyright timesnownews

If you’ve watched 3 Idiots, chances are Phunsukh Wangdu still lingers in your memory — the unconventional genius who refused to bow to India’s rigid education system. What many don’t realise is that the character wasn’t just a scriptwriter’s invention; it was inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakhi engineer, innovator, and now, one of the loudest voices in his homeland’s political struggle. From Uleytokpo to the World Wangchuk was born in 1966 in Uleytokpo, a remote Ladakhi village where schools were miles away. His mother taught him the basics at home until he was sent to Srinagar at nine. But instead of opening doors, the move left him alienated. Struggling with a new language, he was written off as “slow” — a memory he still recalls as one of the darkest times of his childhood. At eleven, he ran away to Delhi in search of a better school. Not only did he survive, but he convinced a principal to take him in. That spirit of defiance and grit became the backbone of his life’s work. By 1987, he had completed his B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar. Rethinking Education in Ladakh In 1988, instead of taking up a cushy job elsewhere, Wangchuk returned home to face Ladakh’s broken education system head-on. For the unversed, Wangchuk co-founded SECMOL – Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. He helped students left behind by conventional schooling. Ice Stupas: Engineering with a Soul As Ladakh’s water shortages and climate changed worsened, he came up with Ice Stupas. These towering ice structures were built using winter meltwater. It released water slowly in spring when farmers need it most. The invention drew global recognition and also proved that sustainable solutions can be both simple and powerful. Bollywood Meets Ladakh It wasn’t long before his story caught the eye of filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. Wangchuk’s philosophy of questioning the system became the seed for Aamir Khan’s much-loved character in 3 Idiots. The film brought him sudden fame, but Wangchuk has always remained more comfortable in classrooms, villages, and mountain fields than under the spotlight. In 2018, his lifelong dedication was acknowledged with the Ramon Magsaysay Award — often dubbed Asia’s Nobel. On the Political Frontline The year 2019 brought a seismic shift when Article 370 was revoked, and Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory without its own legislature. For several Ladakhis, this meant being left voiceless. Wangchuk has since emerged as a key figure in demanding Sixth Schedule protections, which would safeguard Ladakh’s tribal identity, fragile ecosystem, and governance structures. With more than 90 per cent of Ladakh’s population belonging to Scheduled Tribes, he argues that constitutional protection is not optional — it’s survival. That’s not all, he also supported eco-tourism projects like FarmStays Ladakh, where local families — especially women — host travellers, offering authentic experiences while keeping Ladakhi traditions alive. Why He Matters Sonam Wangchuk is not just a man who inspired a Bollywood film. He is an innovator who fused science with compassion, a reformer determined to rebuild education, and an activist unafraid to take on the political establishment. In Ladakh’s shifting landscape, he has become not just a leader but a symbol of what it means to fight for both people and planet.