Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian engineer, education reformer, innovator, and environmental activist from Ladakh. He is best known for transforming education in the Himalayan region through hands-on, practical learning and sustainable innovation.

He co-founded Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an alternative educational institution that helps students who struggle in conventional schools develop practical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Wangchuk is also internationally recognized for developing the Ice Stupa project, an innovative artificial glacier system that stores water during winter and releases it gradually in spring, helping farmers in water-scarce regions. His work has earned him several national and international awards, and he has become a prominent voice on climate change, sustainable development, and the protection of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

In recent years, he has also been at the forefront of campaigns advocating for environmental protection, constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, and greater participation of local communities in decisions affecting the region.

For many years, Sonam Wangchuk was widely described as the real-life inspiration for Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho), Aamir Khan's character in 3 Idiots. Wangchuk himself has said that the film was not his biopic, but that it was "inspired" by aspects of his life and work as an engineer and education reformer in Ladakh.

For many years, Sonam Wangchuk was widely described as the real-life inspiration for Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho), Aamir Khan's character in 3 Idiots. Wangchuk himself has said that the film was not his biopic, but that it was "inspired" by aspects of his life and work as an engineer and education reformer in Ladakh.

For many years, Sonam Wangchuk was widely described as the real-life inspiration for Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho), Aamir Khan's character in 3 Idiots. Wangchuk himself has said that the film was not his biopic, but that it was "inspired" by aspects of his life and work as an engineer and education reformer in Ladakh.

For many years, Sonam Wangchuk was widely described as the real-life inspiration for Phunsukh Wangdu (Rancho), Aamir Khan's character in 3 Idiots. Wangchuk himself has said that the film was not his biopic, but that it was "inspired" by aspects of his life and work as an engineer and education reformer in Ladakh.