‘Fans and coolers can’t be substituted’: Why DU principal’s cow dung cooling hack won't work

NEW DELHI: In a move that has both amused and bewildered many, the principal of Delhi University's Lakshmibai College has taken a hands-on—and quite literally, hands-dirty—approach to cooling down classrooms. To combat the scorching heat in the college’s ageing Block C, she personally applied cow dung to the walls of a classroom, a method rooted in traditional Indian practices believed to regulate indoor temperatures.

However, experts say such materials have little relevance in modern, cement-heavy urban architecture. Cow dung, with its low compressive strength, cannot replace modern cooling systems in concrete structures. According to experts, in Lakshmibai College—where the buildings are old, ventilation is poor, and classrooms are large—the absence of fans or coolers cannot be substituted with a cow dung coating.
The principal's move sparked a wider debate among students and faculty who argue that the root problem lies in long-standing infrastructural neglect. Many classrooms are overcrowded, lack cross-ventilation, and have minimal functioning fans. There are no coolers or air conditioners, and even the washrooms are poorly maintained.

“It’s part of a research proposal by faculty,” the principal explained when TOI reached out for comment. Despite this explanation, the attempt did little to resolve the discomfort felt by many students.
In the video, Vatsala is seen working alongside other staff members, spreading the cow dung with her own hands across the classroom walls. Teachers stated that this initiative was intended to make classrooms more comfortable for teaching, especially in Block C, which is one of the oldest buildings on campus and known to be especially hot during the summer months.
Despite the effort, students weren’t impressed. “Some rooms are definitely hot, but no one asked for cow dung,” one student remarked. “We just need proper fans—or coolers, at least.”
While the college recently saw vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh lay the foundation for a new block, the older buildings remain neglected. This continued disregard for the older infrastructure has added to the frustration.
Though the cow dung initiative has sparked conversations about sustainability and innovation, experts stress that such gestures cannot replace long-term, practical solutions. Instead of symbolic actions, they say the college should focus on addressing the deeper infrastructural issues that have been ignored for far too long.