Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakh activist who inspired the lead character in the film ‘3 Idiots’, announced that he will begin a five-day climate fast on January 26 in order to show the “power of the sun” and “sustainable carbon neutral technologies”. Wangchuk explained that during his fast, he will be camping on top of the Khardungla at a height of 18,000 feet, where the temperature will be minus 40° Celsius. He will use solar-powered electricity, hot water, and possibly a solar bed during the carbon-neutral fast. In a video, Wangchuk declared, "Solar is the way to go for the planet and that is what I will strive to demonstrate on probably the world's first climate-neutral fast."
Demonstrating the “power of the sun”, in a specially constructed mud cabin in Ladakh, where Wangchuk posted a video from, the temperature was 20° Celsius even though it was negative 20° Celsius outside. The activist slept out on his rooftop at HIAL Phyang at 11,500 feet in minus 20 degrees Celsius the night before the fast, earning plaudits from business billionaire Anand Mahindra.