Real-life 'Phunsuk Wangdu' reveals story of 'Jeep-Roof' to Anand Mahindra
What's the story
Aamir Khan's blockbuster 3 Idiots gave fame to Sonam Wangchuk, the engineer who inspired the character of Phunsuk Wangdu in the film.
Wangchuk had recently caught the eye of Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, who tweeted a fascinating picture of a car recycled into a home roof, innovated by Wangchuk.
Wangchuk has now replied to Mahindra revealing the story behind the 'Jeep-Roof'.
Details
Wangchuk says jeep helped in educational campaigns in Ladakh
Last week, Mahindra took to Twitter to express his delight after he received a picture of Wangchuk's 'Jeep-Roof'.
He lauded the innovation calling it "a way of life at the Institute, where nothing gets discarded".
The engineer has now responded to Mahindra saying the jeep was "instrumental in educational campaigns in the remotest frontiers of Ladakh".
Mahindra then offered to support the educational campaign.
Twitter Post
Far more creative than our auto-shredding venture: Mahindra
A friend sent these pics from Sonam Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternatives,Ladakh.Recycling a Mahindra car into a home roof.A way of life at the Institute, where nothing gets discarded.Well this will compete with our auto-shredding venture but it’s far more creative! pic.twitter.com/p7UwgOvtxD
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 14, 2018
Twitter Post
Jeep served us faithfully between 1997-2007 before new avatar: Wangchuk
Dear Mr @anandmahindra the Jeep you tweeted has a lovely story. It was instrumental in educational campaigns in the remotest frontiers of Ladakh... which finally took the matriculation results from 5% to 75%. It served us faithfully between 1997 to 2007 before taking new avatara. pic.twitter.com/N9ejsphOjQ
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) December 17, 2018
Twitter Post
Mahindra asks how can they support the education campaign
Sonam you’re absolutely right—that IS a lovely story. How do I find out more about the educational campaign you referred to? And how we can support the campaign if the job is unfinished? @Wangchuk66 @manoj_naandi https://t.co/JgidIlv5qU
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 19, 2018
Reactions
Netizens were inspired by Wangchuk's educational work
The interesting exchange between Wangchuk and Mahindra earned a lot of praise from netizens.
Twitter users were heavily inspired by Wangchuk's educational work.
A netizen wrote, "Mr. wangchuk this is incredible. Wish you success in your missions ahead. We seek inspiration from you."
Another netizen agreed with Wangchuk saying it "was vehicle of change in many parts of India".
HIAL
A bit about Wangchuk's Himalayan Institute of Alternatives
50-year-old Wangchuk is an engineer in the truest sense of the word.
He founded Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL) in Ladakh, which aims to encourage learners to solve problems using the 3Hs: Bright Head, Kind Heart, and Skilled Hands, instead of solving them with the conventional 3Rs (Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic).
The institute has various programs, workshops, fellowships for aspiring learners.