𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸 (𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝘂): 𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗸𝗵 !! Founded Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1988 to reform Ladakh's failing education system. Inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the movie 3 Idiots (2009). The movie highlighted Wangchuk's innovative and unconventional approach to education. Focused on hands-on, practical learning rather than rote memorization. Improved student pass rates in state exams from 5% to 75% within 5 years. Over 95% of SECMOL students now pass their board exams. SECMOL has trained over 10,000 students and teachers in alternative learning methods. Invented Ice Stupas, artificial glaciers that store winter water in conical ice structures. Ice stupas melt in summer, providing water for irrigation during early planting season. First ice stupa was 20 meters tall and stored 150,000 liters of water. Largest ice stupas have reached heights of 30 meters and stored up to 2 million liters of water. Over 26 ice stupas have been built in Ladakh and other regions like Switzerland and the Himalayas. Built SECMOL campus using passive solar heating and local materials (mud and stone). Campus maintains indoor temperatures of +15°C even when outdoor temperatures drop to -25°C. Reduced heating costs and carbon emissions by 70% using passive solar design. Inspired over 50 eco-friendly buildings in the region based on SECMOL’s design principles. Designed a solar-powered tent for Indian Army soldiers at high altitudes. Tent maintains temperatures of up to 15°C in -40°C conditions. Reduced the need for kerosene, saving up to 10 liters of fuel per day per tent. Over 100 solar tents have been deployed in high-altitude army camps. Established Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) in 2017 to develop solutions for challenges in mountain regions. Curriculum focuses on practical learning, sustainable development, and preserving local culture. HIAL trains over 200 students annually in fields like renewable energy, sustainable construction, and environmental conservation. Plans to make HIAL a zero-carbon campus by 2030. Received the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2016 for Ice Stupas. Awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his educational and environmental work. Named among World’s 100 Most Influential People in Climate Action by TIME in 2019. Follow me vishakha Jangir for more business insights.
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