Real-life 'Phunsuk Wangdu' reveals story of 'Jeep-Roof' to Anand Mahindra
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'.
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.
Far more creative than our auto-shredding venture: Mahindra
Jeep served us faithfully between 1997-2007 before new avatar: Wangchuk
Mahindra asks how can they support the education campaign
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".
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.
