In this article, there will be information regarding Sonam Wangchuk, A renowned Ladakhi innovator, educator an environmentalist is on a 21 days fast. Why Sonam Wangchuk is fasting? Who is Sonam Wangchuk, Sonam Wangchuk Ice Stupa? What is the 6th schedule? What is ‘save Ladakh’ and what are Ladakhi people’s demands? And many more, so let’s find out!
Why Sonam Wangchuk is fasting?
Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike now for over two weeks on the chilly streets of Ladakh. As his ‘fast unto death’ protest has entered it’s 16th day, Wangchuk continued to press his demands for constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory of Ladakh and protection of ecologically fragile Ladakh’s ecosystem from industrial and mining lobbies. Wangchuk has been posting is daily update of #Climatefast on X Twitter and thanking 250 people who also participated in this protest, slept hungry in -12•C. The main motive behind this protest is to remind Indian Government of their promises to safeguard Ladakh’s environment and its tribal indigenous culture.
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Who is Sonam Wangchuk? Sonam Wangchuk’s Ice Stupa?
Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian engineer, innovator and education reformist. He is the founding director of the Student’s Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh.
He invented the Ice Stupa technique in late 2013 that creates artificial glaciers, used for storing winter water in the form of a cone-shaped ice heap and releases water during the late spring as they start melting.
Sonam Wangchuk relatable with Rancho from 3 idiots?
Sonam Wangchuk came into the highlight in 2009, when his story inspired Aamir Khan’s character Phunsukh Wangdu in the film 3 idiots directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
He has been referred as ‘The real life Phunsukh Wangdu’, however he says that he is not Phunsukh Wangdu.
What is the 6th schedule?
The 6th schedule under Article 244 of the Indian constitution provides for the formation of autonomous administrative regions called Autonomous District Councils(ADCs). The protest comes after the Ladakhi leadership entered into the talks with Centre to discuss the demand for Ladakh’s state, the inclusion of the Union Territory in the 6th schedule of the constitution and the setting up of an exclusive public service commission for the high altitude region.
The decision so far has been remained inconclusive.
What is ‘Save Ladakh’ and what are the demands of Ladakhi people?
Around five years ago, when Ladakh was declared a separate Union Territory the people celebrated. Ladakh was recognised as a separate Union Territory ‘without legislature’. Union Territories like Delhi and Pondicherry have their own Legislative Assemblies but not Ladakh. On 6th march, hundreds of people assembled in Leh after the latest round of talks with the interior ministry but it yielded no results.
Ladakh activist, Sonam Wangchuk launched a 21-day fast unto death with a peaceful method so that the government and policymakers take notice of their pain and to demand a devolution of power and constitutional protections to fight for their tribal identity.
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