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Delhi University Principal’s Cow Dung Classroom Cooling Experiment Sparks Student Uproar
A Delhi University principal has ignited student outrage after initiating an unconventional method to combat summer heat: applying cow dung to classroom walls. Principal Pratyush Vatsala was seen in a widely circulated video manually plastering the教室 walls with manure, a practice rooted in traditional Indian beliefs about its cooling properties. This attempt to naturally cool classrooms has been met with criticism and protests from students demanding conventional cooling solutions.
Principal Defends Cow Dung Application as Research Project
Principal Vatsala publicly demonstrated the cow dung application in a video shared online. Wearing a teal sari and trainers, she was shown using her hands to smear the dung in semi-circular motions onto the walls, reaching higher areas with the aid of a stool. A male assistant was present, holding a container of the excrement. Vatsala has defended her actions, stating that this is part of a faculty-led research initiative. The project aims to explore the effectiveness of traditional Indian knowledge in mitigating intense heat.
Traditional Cooling Method Under Scrutiny
According to traditional Indian practices, a layer of cow dung is thought to reduce ambient temperature by several degrees. Vatsala has committed to releasing the findings of her cooling research project after further evaluation. She communicated to the press, stating, “It is under process. I will be able to share details of the full research after a week… The research is being carried out in porta cabins. I coated one of them myself because there’s no harm in touching natural mud… Some people are spreading misinformation without knowing the full details.”
Student Protests Escalate Against Unconventional Classroom Cooling
Despite the principal’s assurances, students have reacted negatively to the initiative. Previously voicing concerns about classroom temperatures, disgruntled students retaliated by applying cow dung to the walls of Principal Vatsala’s office. This act of protest was accompanied by calls for her to remove existing air conditioning from her office, highlighting their preference for standard cooling systems.
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- Students demand conventional cooling methods like fans and air conditioners.
- Student statement: “We want fans and air conditioners, not the stink of cow dung in our class-rooms.”
- Another student commented that the research should also “be carried out in her office as well.”
Heatwave Conditions in Delhi Intensify Classroom Climate Concerns
Delhi is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with weather forecasts predicting temperatures as high as 41 degrees Celsius in the coming days. This extreme heat underscores the urgency of addressing classroom temperatures, but students are clearly rejecting the cow dung solution in favor of modern alternatives.
Cow Dung: Beyond Cooling – Innovative Uses Explored
While the classroom cooling experiment is controversial, this is not the first instance of cow dung being utilized in unexpected ways. Notably, in 2021, researchers explored the potential of cow manure in transforming seawater into potable water.
Cow Dung-Based Filter for Water Purification
Scientists at Northeastern University have developed a process that converts bovine manure into a filter capable of purifying undrinkable water. This innovation holds promise for addressing the global water crisis. The process involves heating the manure at high temperatures to create a carbon powder, which is then formed into a foam.
Sunlight-Activated Desalination Using Cow Dung Foam
This foam, when placed on seawater and exposed to sunlight, facilitates desalination. The sunlight heats the seawater beneath the foam, causing it to vaporize and pass through the material, resulting in purified drinking water.
Addressing Global Water Scarcity with Sustainable Solutions
Global water scarcity affects approximately 1.42 billion people, according to UNICEF, with only a small fraction of the Earth’s water being drinkable. Desalination, a common method for removing salt from seawater, often relies on energy-intensive and costly materials. Professor Yi Zheng from Northeastern University highlighted the limitations of conventional desalination, stating, “Material is kind of expensive to fabricate, and the material itself is not sustainable… Furthermore, the entire process for water desalination consumes electricity.”
Sustainable and Sunlight-Driven Water Purification Innovation
Building upon desalination principles, Professor Zheng sought a more sustainable energy source: sunlight. Instead of solar panels, the focus shifted to creating a sunlight-activated filter. Cow manure, collected from local farms and heated to eliminate bacteria, was transformed into the carbon foam filter. This innovative approach utilizes readily available resources to address both water purification and sustainability concerns.