The principal of Delhi University’s Lakshmibai College, Pratyush Vatsala, was seen applying cow dung on the walls of the classroom, calling it a ‘Desi’ solution to heat-related complaints. Her efforts were captured in a series of videos, which were shared by the principal herself on the college’s WhatsApp group for other faculty members. The images and videos circulating on the group show Vatsala, standing on a chair and applying cow dung to the walls of the classroom in C Block. She was assisted by other college staff.

While cow dung has been traditionally used in rural India to beat the heat. Its application in the urban educational institute has only raised curiosity amongst many.

Professor Pankaj Garg, the chairman of the Indian National Teachers Congress, told reporters that “Such approaches are taking us back in time instead of moving us forward.. Instead of addressing infrastructure issues on campus with practical solutions, we are resorting to activities that belong to the Stone Age. This is not right. We are about to enter the fourth year of the national education policy, yet there are still no concrete solutions on the table for how we are going to accommodate students in classrooms with such old infrastructure.”

DU Infrastructure

The C block of the college has received complaints about its non-operational fans and other infrastructure problems. Although basic facilities are available inside the building, this new method of cow dung is getting mixed reactions from around the college. It is also one of the oldest buildings in the college.

Several other colleges under Delhi University are grappling with the same age, ageing infrastructure and rising pressure from students.