Gitanjali J Angmo, a visionary social entrepreneur and Chevening Scholar, is transforming education in Ladakh through the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). Leaving behind a flourishing entrepreneurial career, she relocated to Ladakh in 2017 with a bold mission: to bridge the gap between conventional education and real-world problem-solving. Under her dynamic leadership, HIAL has emerged as a pioneering model for experiential learning, empowering students to address urgent challenges such as climate change and grassroots innovation with sustainable, locally-rooted solutions in Ladakh as well as across the vast Hindukush Himalayas—a region that influences the lives of over 210 million people.
At the heart of HIAL’s success lies Gitanjali’s innovative five-pillar framework: a contextual curriculum tailored specifically to Ladakh’s unique environment and culture; experiential learning where 70% of education is hands-on; a transdisciplinary approach to complex problem-solving; fostering higher-order thinking combined with deeper emotional intelligence; and spiritual self-discovery. In just five years, she has spearheaded the creation of 1,50,000 sq. ft. of sustainable infrastructure and developed more than 12 cutting-edge courses. These initiatives have guided over 300 students toward impactful careers in innovation, sustainability, and community leadership. Her selfless, pro-bono leadership has earned accolades from luminaries like Sonam Wangchuk, who praises her unwavering commitment to empowering Ladakh’s youth.
Starting with limited resources, HIAL now employs more than 50 full-time staff and runs groundbreaking projects such as artificial glaciers that store 500 million liters of water—an ingenious solution to water scarcity. Gitanjali’s transdisciplinary approach masterfully blends ancient indigenous wisdom with modern scientific research, cultivating a new generation of changemakers. Honored with the prestigious Women Transforming India Award by the Government of India, she exemplifies holistic leadership—being a black belt in karate, an accomplished Odissi and Russian Bolshoi ballet dancer and a teacher of the Gita and Vedanta in the light of Sri Aurobindo.
Gitanjali’s visionary next step is establishing a K-12 school called Desert Flower, to nurture creativity, higher-order thinking and spiritual living from early childhood, ensuring education remains a lifelong journey of purpose and passion. By prioritizing self-awareness, self-reliance, and sustainability, she is proving that education can transform not just individuals but entire communities and ecosystems. Her inspiring journey is a powerful call to reimagine education as a catalyst for global change—rooted in empathy, innovation, and for the evolution of human consciousness.
For more details: https://hial.edu.in/
Contact: [email protected]
