Unsung India Foundation presents an inspiring Talk-Doc on Padma Othsal, Director of SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh). Born into the shepherding community of the Changthang Plateau—a vast high-altitude desert near the India–Tibet border—Padma’s story reflects the grit of Ladakh’s mountains. From his remote village, where winters reach –30°C and life depends on yaks and sheep, he journeyed through valleys and passes to study. But like thousands of Ladakhi children, he soon discovered that the formal education system—imported from plains of India—was failing the students of the Himalayas.
In this film, Padma shares his personal path that eventually led him to SECMOL Campus, located in Phey village, 15 km from Leh on the banks of the Indus River. Founded in 1988 by education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, SECMOL redefined schooling. Here, “failures” of the 10th standard were welcomed, not rejected. Instead of rote learning, students gained life skills, cultural pride, renewable energy know-how, and hands-on innovation.
Padma explains how SECMOL became a centre of innovation in Ladakh. One breakthrough is the world-famous Ice Stupa Project, an artificial glacier technology pioneered under Sonam Wangchuk. Built in villages like Phyang and Choglamsar, Ice Stupas store winter water and release it in spring, transforming farming in one of the driest inhabited regions of the planet. The idea is now studied globally as a model of climate change adaptation in the Himalayas.
SECMOL also nurtured ice hockey in Ladakh, turning frozen rivers near Leh, Shey, and Karzoo into training grounds. From this grassroots effort emerged India’s best ice hockey players, who represented the nation in international tournaments and brought medals home.
Through Padma Othsal’s voice, the Talk-Doc explores SECMOL as more than just a school. It is a movement of empowerment, deeply tied to Ladakh’s geography and culture. It shows how the Indus Valley landscape, the Changthang Plateau, and the Himalayan climate shaped not only survival but also innovation.
This Talk-Doc is both the personal journey of a shepherd’s son who became an education leader, and the larger story of how SECMOL became the epicentre of education reform, sustainability, and innovation in Ladakh’s high Himalayas.
[ Ladakh, Leh, Changpa Tribe, SECMOL, Sonam Wangchuk, Padma Othsal, Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, Alternate Education, Holistic Education, Pashmina Wool, Shepherding, Ice Stupa, Ice Hockey, Rahul Yadav, Maverik Pictures, Unsung India, Unsung Heroes, talk doc, talk-doc]
Credit list:-
Anchor - Rahul Yadav
Interviewee - Padma Othsal (Dir - SECMOL)
Edit - Saurabh Sisodia
Line Production - Maverik Pictures
Thumbnail - Lalit Mohan
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Unsung India Foundation is a platform that aims to bring recognition to the unsung heroes of India who have achieved remarkable successes and represented the country on a global scale. While we often seek inspiration from social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, it is important to remember that real-life heroes can be found all around us. These heroes may not have flashy costumes or extravagant stories, but they have made significant contributions to society, often going unnoticed.
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