Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has emerged as the public face of his latest protest after he was shifted from Jantar Mantar to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital during his ongoing hunger strike. Declaring that she would lead the planned march to Parliament if Wangchuk is unable to participate, Angmo has taken centre stage in the campaign demanding accountability over alleged examination paper leaks.
A social entrepreneur and educationist, Angmo co-founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) with Wangchuk in 2017. The institute promotes sustainable development through green campuses, passive solar-heated buildings and practical education tailored to Ladakh’s unique climate. HIAL also developed solar-heated tents for the Indian Army and offers fellowship programmes focused on innovation.
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Born into a Punjabi family in Odisha’s Balasore, Angmo holds a degree in Physics from Fakir Mohan University and an MBA from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. She spent nearly 15 years in Denmark working in the corporate sector before returning to India to establish businesses and a publishing house.
A Chevening scholar from the University of Oxford, Angmo is also a recipient of the Women Transforming India Award. Besides academics, she is a black belt in karate and trained in Odissi and Russian ballet.
She first gained national attention during Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act last year, when she approached the Supreme Court and sought the President’s intervention. Since Wangchuk’s latest hospitalisation, she has been actively updating supporters, questioning the circumstances of his transfer and vowing to continue his campaign if necessary.
