In a move to combat the scorching Delhi summer, the principal of Lakshmibai College, affiliated with Delhi University, has turned to a traditional remedy - cow dung - to cool classrooms.
Dr. Pratyush Vatsala was seen applying cow dung on the walls of a classroom in C Block, a gesture she described as a “desi solution” to rising temperatures and student complaints.
The act, documented in images and videos, was shared by Vatsala herself on the college’s faculty WhatsApp group. In the visuals, she is seen standing on a chair, with the help of staff members, spreading cow dung across the walls. "Desi methods are being adopted to address complaints about the heat in C Block," she wrote. "Soon, those who have classes here will experience these rooms in a new form. We’re trying to make your teaching experience more comfortable."
When contacted by The Indian Express, Vatsala linked the initiative to a faculty-led research proposal titled Study of Heat Stress Control by Using Traditional Indian Knowledge, though she declined to elaborate further.
While cow dung is known in rural India for its insulating and cooling qualities, its use in an urban academic setting has sparked debate and intrigue among students and faculty alike.
A final-year student remarked, “Fans are already available in the classrooms, but this traditional approach took us by surprise.” Another student union member mentioned receiving complaints about heat and faulty fans, especially in older buildings like the one above the college canteen where the classroom in question is located. “We’ll visit the classroom soon to understand how effective this solution really is,” the student said.
However, not everyone is on board with the unconventional method.
Neelam, an Academic Council member and associate professor at the college, criticised the principal’s actions, calling for more sustainable, approved infrastructure upgrades. “How can classroom changes be made without council approval? Just because a room is old doesn’t mean it can be ignored. Our college has urgent issues — from broken windows to unhygienic washrooms and mosquito infestations. Cow dung is not a solution.”
Prof. Pankaj Garg, Chairperson of the Indian National Teacher’s Congress, echoed the sentiment, stating, “We’re heading into the fourth year of the National Education Policy, yet we’re resorting to primitive practices. This reflects the lack of practical infrastructure planning in our institutions.”
The unusual experiment has drawn national attention at a time when many DU colleges are grappling with outdated facilities and rising pressure to create more comfortable learning environments during the intense summer months. Whether this earthy remedy proves effective remains to be seen — but it has certainly sparked a conversation.