Innovator Sonam Wangchuk accorded
degree for his work in Ladakh
Sonam
Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based engineer whose life inspired a character in the
Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots , has been awarded an honorary D.Litt
degree by a university here.
He
was awarded in recognition of his work as an innovator and educationist by the
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) on Tuesday. President Ram Nath
Kovind was the chief guest.
The
engineer-turned-educationist set up the Students’ Educational and Cultural
Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), a non-traditional school which has brought in
educational reform in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. It has also
improved the number of students clearing exams up to the intermediate level.
While
accepting the degree, Mr. Wangchuk, the real life ‘Phunsukh Wangdu’ said, “I
did what humanity demands people to do.” It had motivated him to work towards
the best use of solar energy and creating artificial glaciers to address water
scarcity, he said.
When
he saw students failing, he decided to take action. “My house was on fire and
my young brothersand sisters in distress. When your house is on fire, it’s
nothing special to throw water on it. It is your duty”
