Page 2 - Sonam Wangchuk

Sonam Wangchuk's 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra' from Leh begins for 4-point agenda

More than 100 volunteers led by renowned innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk started a foot march from here to the national capital on Sunday to urge the Centre to resume the stalled dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh on their four-point agenda. The Delhi Chalo Padyatra' was organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), are jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Constitution's sixth schedule, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts. The talks between Ladakh representatives and the Central government ended in March without any concrete outcome. Amid chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and we want sixth schedule, LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang flagged off the march from NDS Memorial park with Wangchuk expressing hope that the government will greet them with a good news on reaching

Leh apex body plans foot march to Delhi to press govt on 4-point agenda

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Saturday announced a foot march from Leh to Delhi next month to urge the Centre to resume the stalled dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh on their four-point agenda. The LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), both separate groupings of various political, social and religious organisations, are jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Constitution's sixth schedule, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts. The talks between Ladakh representatives and the central government ended in March without any concrete outcome. Announcing the peaceful march from Leh to the national capital, co-chairman of LAB Chering Dorjey Lakruk said a minimum 100 volunteers accompanied by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will start walking from Leh on September 1 and reach Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. However, there

BJP went back on Sixth Schedule promise, will continue movement: Wangchuk

In March this year, Leh, known for its breathtaking landscapes and monasteries, made headlines as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk led a 21-day fast in sub-zero temperatures seeking autonomy for Ladakh. Thousands joined the Ramon Magsaysay Award winner whose life inspired actor Aamir Khan's character Rancho in Bollywood blockbuster "3 Idiots". After ending his fast on March 26, Wangchuk began a sit-in which was called off on May 10 in view of the Lok Sabha elections. Though the government did not accede to the protesters' demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Wangchuk says the movement is anything but over. "On one hand, land is going to corporations and on the other hand, China is capturing our land, thousands of square kilometres of land. People of the country need to understand our pain," Wangchuk told PTI. "The Sixth Schedule is required to protect the mountains, glaciers and ecology. Though it is required in the whole ...

Leh Apex Body to begin five-day march on April 17, says Sonam Wangchuk

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) will start a five-day foot march to Skang Chu-Thang near the Himachal Pradesh border on April 17 to meet the shepherds who are reportedly losing their pasture land to major industrial projects, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said on Sunday. However, he said the marchers, numbering around 20, would move forward to Changthang near the China border only if there is no objection from the government. The LAB, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is spearheading an agitation for the past four years to demand statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Wangchuk expressed his annoyance over "some people in Delhi" dubbing them as "anti-nationals or Chinese and CIA agents" and said the only purpose of the march is to "take the pain of the people" of Ladakh to the government which needs to fulfil its promises. The LAB had earlier called for the border (Pashmina) march on April 7 to highlight the plight of farmers who a

Wangchuk announces 'border march' to highlight ground realities in Ladakh

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday announced the agitation to demand statehood for Ladakh will be intensified and a 'border march' will be held on April 7 in the eastern part of the Union territory to highlight ground realities, including alleged encroachments by China. Wangchuk, who is part of the Leh-based Apex body that comprises social, religious and political organisations, said they are adopting the Gandhian approach in their agitation, which is vital to safeguard the fragile environment of the region and the indigenous character of its population. "We are followers of (Mahatma) Gandhi's Satyagraha. We are demanding the fulfilment of the promises made to us by this (BJP) government through its manifestos which led its candidates to win parliamentary polls (in 2019) and hill council polls in Leh (2020)," he told a gathering here. The activist ended his 21-day-long hunger strike in support of the demand for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule o

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ends 21-day-long hunger strike for Ladakh statehood

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday evening ended his 21-day-long hunger strike in support of the demand for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Earlier in the day, he made a fresh appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil the promises made to the people of the Union Territory and also called upon people to use their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections very carefully in the interest of the nation. "The first phase of the hunger strike is ending today but this is not the end of the agitation, Wangchuk said after taking a glass of juice from a minor girl here amid a massive turnout of people at the protest venue. The renowned education reformist said the end of the hunger strike is the beginning of the new phase of the ongoing agitation. "We will continue our struggle (in support of our demands). The gathering of 10,000 people at the venue and participation of over 60,000 others over the past 20 days are a testimon

Ladakh hunger strike: Sonam Wangchuk urges PM Modi to honour promises

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's message to PM Modi came as he continued to press for his demand for constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory of Ladakh

Planning border march to highlight ground reality in Ladakh: Wangchuk

On hunger strike for the past two weeks in support of statehood and constitutional safeguards under sixth schedule for the Union Territory of Ladakh, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said they are planning a border march soon to highlight the "ground reality" to the outside world. Wangchuk, a renowned education reformist, has been on climate fast' here since March 6, a day after talks between the joint representatives of Leh-based Apex body and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) heading an agitation in support of four-point demands and the Central government hit a deadlock. On the beginning of day 14 of his climate fast', Wangchuk took to X and said that 250 people slept hungry in minus 12 degrees Celsius to safeguard Ladakh's land, environment and tribal indigenous culture. Our nomads are losing prime pasture land to huge Indian industrial plants to the south & Chinese encroachment to the north. To show the ground reality we're planning a Border March of 10,000 Ladakhi ...

Will intensify agitation if govt doesn't meet demands, say Ladakh groups

A day after they held a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, groups from Ladakh on Thursday reiterated their demands for statehood and sixth schedule status for the Union Territory, threatening to intensify their agitation if the government does not listen to them. At a press conference here, environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk said democracy has been compromised in Ladakh and the local people have no say in decision-making. Speaking on behalf of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, an amalgam of social, religious, and political groups from the two districts of Ladakh, Wangchuk stressed on the need to provide safeguards for the environmentally sensitive area, and involve locals in decision-making. "We wanted to become a Union Territory, but we never imagined it would be without a legislature. There is no participation of people anymore in how the budget allocated to us is spent. The Autonomous Hill Council has also been weakened, and the issue of statehood is of

Hundreds join Wangchuk on last day of his hunger strike on issues of Ladakh

Hundreds of people on Monday joined education reformist Sonam Wangchuk on the final day of his five-day hunger strike here in support of the demand for various safeguards for Ladakh, including extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the Union territory. Prominent among those who joined Wangchuk, an engineer whose life inspired a character in Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, were leaders of the Leh Apex Body of Peoples Movement for Sixth Schedule and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The apex body and KDA, a separate amalgam of socio-religious, political and youth organisations, are jointly spearheading a campaign to press for their four-point demands which include full statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule to the region. "Today is the last day of my symbolic carbon neutral climatic fast and I am thankful to the people for joining me. The fast was an attempt to invite the attention of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) so that our leaders can brief him about

Ladakh: Sonam Wangchuk says he's under house arrest, police deny charge

Engineer and innovator Sonam Wangchuk claims he has been placed under house arrest at his institute here, a charge denied by police which says he was only prevented from observing a five-day fast at the top of Khardung La. The education reformist, who inspired a pivotal character in the Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, had announced the hunger strike at the 18,380 feet high Khardung La from January 26 to invite the BJP-led Centre's attention to the demands of the people of Ladakh. These include extension of the sixth schedule of the Constitution and environmental protection form unchecked industrial and commercial expansion. In a tweet on Saturday, Wangchuk shared a copy of a bond, which among other things sought an undertaking that he will not make any comments, statements, public speech, hold or participate in public assemblies or any activity related to the recent events in Leh district. "CALLING LAWYERS OF THE WORLD!!! The #Ladakh UT administration wants me to sign this bond eve

Act now or Ladakh could become a barren land of disasters: Sonam Wangchuk

Wangchuk, who inspired 3 Idiots character, to go on fast; says Joshimath should be lesson for Ladakh

Innovator Sonam Wangchuk bags seventh Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios award

Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based engineer whose life inspired a character in Bollywood blockbuster "3 Idiots", was on Sunday awarded the seventh Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award by former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Instituted by the Sophia Society of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church, the award is given every alternate year in the memory of the first Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese and noted philosopher Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios. The award was presented during a function at St Thomas School in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad. Speaking at the event, Naidu hailed the role of social and religious organizations in ensuring a sustainable development of the world we live in. Born in Uleytokpo, near Alchi of Leh district, 56-year-old Wangchuk has also won Ramon Magsasay award for his community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth.

TMS Ep170: Ambuja and ACC, Sonam Wangchuk, IPO size, USFDA's Form 483

Why are top Indian companies vying for Ambuja & ACC? Can Sonam Wangchuk's innovation clear Delhi's air? Market volatility to make companies trim their IPO size? What is USFDA's Form 483? Answers here

How can Sonam Wangchuk's latest innovation clear Delhi's toxic air?

Innovator Sonam Wangchuk's carbon-neutral building stays warm in freezing conditions and can keep the air in Delhi-NCR clean. Business Standard's Nazia Iqbal caught up with him in Ladakh to know more

Innovator Sonam Wangchuk awarded honorary D.Litt degree by Symbiosis

I did what humanity demands people to do," said the engineer-turned-educationist who set up the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh

Meet Sonam Wangchuk, the man who inspired Aamir Khan's role in '3 Idiots'

Sonam Wangchuk makes artificial glaciers for Ladakh's desert villages