No ‘Idiot’ this!

The Aamir Khan movie, Three Idiots was a super duper hit because it resonated with almost every Indian. The pressure to perform and given only two life choices – be either an engineer or doctor was something which most of us can relate to.

The movie gave a Ladakh, the place where some of the second half shots were shot, a new lease of life… many too much. But more significantly, it helped bring to light one of the brightest real heroes of India - engineer-turned-innovator Sonam Wangchuk. It was his character on which Aamir’s later role was portrayed as Phunsukh Wangdu.

Sonam Wangchuk makes life changing innovations. We all know about his “ice cones” – a form of water conservation on the cold desert of India. His inverted snow cones now dot all over Ladakh and helps provide water to the residents during summer.

His latest innovation – solar huts seems to have favour from the Indian army. These are pre-fabricated solar heated mud huts; eco-friendly and does not require massive heating during winters in Ladakh.

These huts are movable, can be assembled in one spot – great for meeting the Army’s shelter needs. The cost of heating will be zero. Even if the temperature outside is minus 20 degrees Celsius, it will be 20 degrees Celsius inside the hut, without any heating. This will help reduce the pollution caused by the massive amounts of oil the Army consumes to keep the jawans warm.

Aren’t people like Wangchuk our real jewels? These are the ones who need to be encouraged, feted and funded so that India can harness the best of their creative minds.