A viral video showing a Delhi college principal’s unorthodox move to beat the heat has ignited a debate online. Pratyush Vatsala, the principal of Laxmibai College, affiliated with Delhi University, was seen applying cow dung on classroom walls to tackle the scorching heat in the city. Calling it a “part of an ongoing research project” headed by a faculty member, the principal said the study, titled ‘Study of Heat Stress Control by Using Traditional Indian Knowledge,’ is underway. While many netizens expressed surprise over the principal’s act, many others criticised her for doing such a practice in a college.
“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,” PTI quoted Vatsala as saying.
Indigenous methods were being used to cool classrooms in C Block. The principal herself reportedly shared a video of cow dung being coated on classroom walls in a WhatsApp group of teachers. “Those who have classes here will soon get these rooms in a new look. Efforts are being made to make your teaching experience pleasant,” she said in the message.
Netizens react
One of the users said, “It’s all about “Principles”. Another said, “Is she doing an experiment? Is she allowed to do such an experiment?”, “Don’t be surprised,she may get Teacher of the Year award”, “This is all for the camera. I am sure she is looking for some promotion” were some other comments made.
Others said it’s good as it happens in their villages too, stating, “In rural area where the temperature is high, I appreciate her as she is doing for the kids to maintain the classroom temperature… Kudos to her…”, including other remarks like “Cow dung keeps the building cool! It acts like a heat barrier”, “My grandmother used to do this, when i was 5-6 yrs old. We moved to pakka house in city after that. But i think, ab hum puraane yug mein firse waaps jaa rhe hain 😆”
About Laxmibai College
Laxmibai College is a women’s college that was established in 1965 and named after Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. It consists of five blocks, with the recent initiative emphasising one of them.
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