Sonam Wangchuk, an Indian engineer, scientist and educational reformer best known as the inspiration behind the character Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots, has been fasting since January 26, 2023. Wangchuk is a local icon and celebrity of Ladakh, where he was born and raised.
Apart from teaching students and innovating, Sonam Wangchuk is also a Magsaysay Award winning environmentalist who is now raising her voice against to save Ladakh from illegal and harmful activities in the name of development .
To protest against unplanned mining and development in Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk organized a five-day climate fast from January 26 to 30. Wangchuk, 56, wanted to fast at Khardungla pass but was stopped by the Ladakh government and put under house arrest. He is currently protesting from the Himalayan Alternative Institute, Ladakh (HIAL) campus. Read on to find out who Sonam Wangchuk is and the full story behind his hunger strike.
GOOD MORNING WORLD! This is the last day of my life #carbonneutral #ClimateFast ARRIVE #SaveLadakh & that’s where the glacier is #Schedule 6 100s join me here for a quick day. This will show how fast I am #CarbonNeutral@narendramodi @AmitShah @UNFCCC @ClimateReality @LeoDiCaprio @UNFCCC @UNEP pic.twitter.com/uB5a2Skjpn
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66)
January 30, 2023
Who is Sonam Wangchuk?
Sonam Wangchuk was born on 1 September 1966 in Alchi, Leh district of Ladakh, now a Union Territory of India. After a difficult childhood studying in Srinagar, in a language foreign to him, Wangchuk fled to Delhi and later graduated from the National Institute of Technology Srinagar with a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Wangchuk, along with his brother and a few friends, founded the Student Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1988. SECMOL is an organization that promotes alternative education with an emphasis on innovation and preserve cultural identity. SECMOL paved the way for the Himalayan Institute for Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). Both facilities are completely environmentally friendly and do not use fossil fuels for cooking, heating or lighting.
For her years of education reform and the fight against climate change in Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk was honored with the 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award.
Good morning world!Starting day 3 of #ClimateFast out in the open, under heavy police presence… don’t worry, it’s all for my ‘safety’. Thanks for your support. #SaveLadakh @AmitShah @narendramodi @UNFCCC @UNEP @LeoDiCaprio pic.twitter.com/4HNxdI9TPq
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66)
January 28, 2023
Why did Sonam Wangchuk fast to protest in Ladakh?
Sonam Wangchuk has been campaigning for Ladakh to be given special status for years. His dream almost came true in 2019 when the Government of India separated Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir and designated it as a Union Territory. Thus, Ladakh is administered by the President of India.
Ladakh borders Pakistan, China and the sensitive region of Jammu & Kashmir. This is an important territory for India from a military point of view. However, due to its altitude and harsh living conditions, Ladakh is one of the less developed and sparsely populated regions of India.
Sonam Wangchuk is demanding that Ladakh be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution, granting autonomy to areas with large tribal populations. Wangchuk is also protesting against the illegal and environmentally harmful activities taking place in Leh and Ladakh in the name of development.
Watch this video to better understand the motive behind Sonam Wangchuk’s quick protest.
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Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: pagasa.edu.vn