From Ice Stupas to Hunger Strikes: The Journey of Sonam Wangchuk

For many Indians, Sonam Wangchuk is the real inspiration behind the character of Phunsukha Wangdu in 3 Idiots. But his story goes far beyond cinema. From transforming education in Ladakh and developing the world-famous Ice Stupa project to becoming the most prominent face of the Ladakh movement for constitutional guarantees, Wangchuk’s journey has included education, climate action and activism. This explainer traces how an engineer and educator became one of India’s most influential public voices on the future of Ladakh.