Acting

Sonam Wangchuk

Born 1966-09-01 · Alchi, Jammu and Kashmir, India (now in Ladakh, India)

Sonam Wangchuk (born 1 September 1966) is an Indian engineer, innovator, education reformer, environmentalist, and social activist from Ladakh. He is the founding director of the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organization established to promote experiential learning and sustainable education. Wangchuk also played a key role in launching Operation New Hope, a collaborative initiative to reform government schools in Ladakh, and is internationally recognized for developing the Ice Stupa technique, an artificial glacier system that helps conserve water in high-altitude regions. Wangchuk has received numerous national and international honours for his contributions to education, grassroots innovation, and environmental sustainability, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018. In 2026, he began an indefinite hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, the resignation of the Union Education Minister, and reforms to India's examination system, bringing renewed national attention to his advocacy through peaceful democratic protest.

Acting credits

Dolkar is the only one in her family who has been given a chance to study. She studies at the Secmol School. The director of the boarding school supports the girls wish to play ice hockey. When the next year's tournament is approaching the girls make a new attempt to enter. They have to solve problem by problem: Thin Ice, bad equipment, no coaching. Finally when they find the American coach Deb, they travel over the mountain to the Muslim village Kargil and create a joint team. Side by side the Buddhist and Muslim girls challenge the men in charge.

Thin Ice

2006

The filmmaker follows a number of Ladakhi in a multifacetted, varied film and portrays their engagement in original fashion. One demonstrates their opposition to the annual car rally in which wealthy Indians take part, another is proud of their ‘own private glacier’, and a third raises awareness with the production of documentaries. In addition, a French Tibetologist explains how the language is disappearing.

Songs of the Water Spirits

2020