Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian engineer, innovator, and education reformist. He is the founding director of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), which was founded by a group of students who had been in his own words, the victims of an alien education system foisted on Ladakh.
In 2009, Sonam came into the spotlight when his story inspired Aamir Khan’s character Phunsukh Wangdu in the film 3 Idiots directed by Rajkumar Hirani. He has been referred as The real-life Phunsukh Wangdu.
Sonam Wangchuk Early Life
Sonam Wangchuk was born on 1st September 1966 in Uley Tokpo, Ladakh to Sonam Wangyal, a former politician, and Tsering Wangmo. Until the age of 9, he was not joined to any school. His mother taught him all the basics in his own mother tongue. At the age of 9, he was taken to Srinagar and enrolled in a school there.
Sonam was treated badly in the school, he was treated as a bad student. In 1977, he escaped alone to Delhi where he pleaded his case to the school principal at Vishesh Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Sonam Wangchuk Career
Sonam began his career started as a Mechanical Engineer, and he worked on various projects in the field of engineering. However, he was not satisfied with the impact of his work and felt that he could contribute more to society.
In 1988, he founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), which aimed to promote education and sustainable development in Ladakh.
In 2001, he was appointed to be an advisor for education in the Hill Council Government. In 2002, together with other NGO heads, he founded Ladakh Voluntary Network (LVN), a network of Ladakhi NGOs, and served in its executive committee as the secretary till 2005. In 2005, Wangchuk was appointed as a member in the National Governing Council for Elementary Education in the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
In 2016, Wangchuk initiated a project called FarmStays Ladakh, which provides tourists to stay with local families of Ladakh, run by mothers and middle-aged women.
Sonam is also known for his innovative solutions to the challenges faced by communities in Ladakh. He has more than 400 patents under his name. He is the engineer behind the construction of the world’s first Ice Stupa, which was built to address the problem of water scarcity in the region. This innovative solution has received global recognition and has inspired similar projects in other parts of the wo
Sonam Wangchuk Relationship
Sonam is married to Padma Angmo and the couple has two children. His wife is a teacher and has been a constant support in his work. His children are also being raised with the same values and principles that he learned from his own family.
Sonam Wangchuk Education
Sonam Wangchuk completed his early education in Ladakh and went on to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Srinagar (then REC Srinagar). Later, he went to France for two years of higher studies in Earthen Architecture at the Craterre School of Architecture in Grenoble, France. He used his knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions to the problems faced by communities in Ladakh.
Sonam Wangchuk Net Worth
Sonam Wangchuk is known for his simplicity and humility, and he is not one to flaunt his wealth or financial status. He has dedicated his life to serving society and working towards a better and sustainable future. As such, he has not pursued wealth or financial gain as his primary objective. It is estimated that Sonam Wangchuk’s net worth is in the range of a few million dollars. However, this estimate is based on limited information and should not be considered an official or accurate representation of his net worth.
Sonam Wangchuk Political Career
In 2013, he launched the New Ladakh Movement (NLM), a social campaign and Ladakh’s version of the Green Party with the aim of working for sustainable education, the environment, and the economy. Later, the members of the party decided to make it into a non-political social movement.
Latest News About Sonam Wangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk House Arrest In Leh
On 26 January 2023, to highlight the effects of climate change on the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh and to demand its protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, he attempted to go on a fast at the Khardungla pass. However, the authorities prevented him from going to Khardungla by putting him under house arrest, and restricting his movement. Sonam did not lose his faith and continued to voice his protest and fasting from the HIAL campus.
Sonam Wangchuk Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Sonam Wangchuk Physical Stats
| Height | in centimeters- 172 cm in meters- 1.72 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 8” |
| Weight | in Kilograms- 71 kg in Pounds- 157 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
Sonam Wangchuk Wiki/Bio
| Name | Sonam Wangchuk |
| Nickname | Snow Warrior |
| Date of Birth | 1st September 1966 |
| Birth Place | Uley Tokpo, Ladakh, India |
| Profession | Engineer, innovator |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Ladakh, India |
| School | Vishesh Kendriya Vidyala, Delhi |
| College/University | National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar CRAterre School of Architecture, Grenoble, France |
| Educational Qualifications | B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering Masters in Earthen Architecture |
| Family | Father– Sonam Wangyal (former politician) Mother– Tsering Wangmo Brother– Not Known Sister– No Known |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Girls, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Padma Angmo |
| Children | Daughter– N/A Son– N/A |
Read Also- Harish Rawat Biography