What if beating the summer heat didn’t require an expensive air conditioner? Back in 2017, a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, turned this question into an exciting experiment. Kalyani Shrivastava came up with a low-cost cooling device she called the ‘Desi AC’, reportedly built for just ₹1,800. 

At a time when air conditioning remained out of reach for many families, her idea offered a refreshing example of how young minds can find creative ways to tackle everyday challenges.

A Simple Idea to Beat the Heat

At the time, Kalyani was a Class 12 student at Lokamanya Tilak Inter College. Living in the Bundelkhand region, where summers can be particularly harsh, she understood how difficult the heat could be for families without air conditioning. Instead of attempting to recreate an expensive commercial appliance, she explored a simpler approach using readily available materials.

According to published reports, her prototype used a thermocol icebox and a 12-volt DC fan. Air passed through the cooling chamber before being directed outside through an elbow-shaped outlet. The device was also described as solar-powered, allowing the fan to operate using an appropriate solar setup.

Reports suggested that it could lower the surrounding room temperature by around 4–5°C after an hour of operation.

Although it was not a conventional air conditioner with a refrigeration system, the prototype offered a creative approach to providing localised cooling at a much lower initial cost.

An Innovation Rooted in Everyday Needs

In an interview with Paisa Wapas magazine, Kalyani explained that not everyone in the region could afford an AC despite the unbearable heat. This concern encouraged her to turn her idea into a working model.

Her experiment highlighted an important aspect of innovation: solutions do not always need sophisticated laboratories or expensive equipment to begin. Sometimes, they start with observing a problem and exploring a simpler way to address it.

However, the prototype's practical performance would depend on factors such as the availability of ice, outdoor temperatures and the cooling capacity of the setup.

Recognition for a Young Innovator

Kalyani’s creation attracted attention beyond her classroom. RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka praised the young innovator on X, encouraging people to support talent like hers. Published reports also stated that her model was selected for a national-level competition associated with IIT Delhi. In 2018, she received recognition under the Uttar Pradesh government's Naari Samman initiative.

Interestingly, Kalyani was also passionate about music. Reports noted that she had participated in Indian Idol, reaching the third round, and had won more than 50 trophies at singing competitions.

Her ₹1,800 ‘Desi AC’ may not have replaced conventional air conditioning, but it showcased the spirit of a young innovator looking for practical answers to an everyday challenge.