Sonam Wangchuk Still Standing Strong: Day 20 Hunger Strike for Ladakh’s Rights and Identity

Posted on : March 25, 2024 By Savan

Sonam Wangchuk, a famous person who works to change education for the better, has been refusing to eat food in Leh, a place in Ladakh, since March 6. He wants some important things to happen for Ladakh.

Here are the main things he wants:

1. Making Ladakh a State and Protecting its Rights:

Wangchuk wants Ladakh to be treated like a state and have special rules to protect its land and give it some self-government powers. Even though Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019, it still needs more protection under the law.

2. More Seats in Parliament:

Wangchuk thinks Leh and Kargil, two districts in Ladakh, should have their own seats in the national Parliament. This would help people in these areas have a stronger voice in the government.

3. Better Hiring System and Government Office:

He wants Ladakh to have its own way of hiring people for government jobs and a special group to manage government work. This would help Ladakh run its own affairs better.

4. Protecting the Environment:

Wangchuk worries that Ladakh becoming a Union Territory makes it easier for big companies to come and use its land for factories and other things. He wants to stop this because it could damage the mountains and the environment. He plans to walk along the border with Ladakhi shepherds and farmers to show why this is important.

Wangchuk not eating has made a lot of people notice and support him. Thousands of people are showing they stand with him. Even though it’s very cold where he is, he keeps going because he wants his demands to be met. This shows how much Ladakh’s concerns matter and why they need to be dealt with quickly. 🙏🏔️

Who is Sonam Wangchuk?

Sonam Wangchuk, born on September 1, 1966, is a clever person from India who invents things and tries to make education better. He has done many great things, like building sustainable houses and changing how children learn in Ladakh.

Let’s learn more about his interesting life:

Sonam Wangchuk’s Early Life and Learning

Sonam Wangchuk comes from a very small village near Alchi in the Leh area of Ladakh. When he was young, there were no schools in his village. So, his mom taught him the basics of reading and writing in their language until he was nine. Then, he went to a school in Srinagar, where he had a hard time because he didn’t know the language and felt like he didn’t fit in. But he didn’t give up. He worked hard and finished his studies in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Srinagar. Later, he went to France to learn more about building with earth at the Craterre School of Architecture in Grenoble.

Starting SECMOL and Changing Education

In 1988, Wangchuk helped start an organization called the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). They wanted to fix the problems with how kids were taught in Ladakh. Wangchuk thought the current system of schooling wasn’t right for their culture and wanted something different. SECMOL focused on making learning about the students, keeping their culture alive, and using resources wisely. Because of Wangchuk’s hard work, they began Operation New Hope in 1994. This was a big plan to improve the government schools in Ladakh.

Ice Stupas: Solving Water Problems

One of Wangchuk’s smartest ideas is something called the Ice Stupa. Ladakh doesn’t have much water, especially in the dry months. So, Wangchuk came up with a way to save winter water by making fake glaciers shaped like big cones called Ice Stupas. These Ice Stupas melt slowly, giving water for farming when it’s needed most. His idea has made a big difference in how Ladakh’s farmers grow their crops.

Solar-Powered SECMOL Campus

Wangchuk planned and built the SECMOL campus, which uses sunlight to power everything. They don’t need any fossil fuels for cooking, lights, or warmth. This shows how living in a way that helps the environment is possible.

Awards and Recognition

Wangchuk has won many awards for his work in making the world a better place:

– Global Award for Sustainable Architecture (2017)

– Fred M. Packard Award (2016)

– Rolex Awards for Enterprise (2016)

– Real Heroes Award (2008)

– Ashoka Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurship (2002)

– Ramon Magsaysay Award (2018)

Beyond Ladakh

Wangchuk’s ideas have influenced people all over the world. He even made a special tent heated by the sun for soldiers in very cold places like Siachen and Galwan Valley.
In short, Sonam Wangchuk’s life shows how being strong, creative, and wanting to make things better can lead to great ideas. His work continues to inspire others, proving that even small places can have big impacts.