Krish Aggarwal, a student at Sanskriti School in New Delhi, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Diana Award. He earned the recognition for his work on Project Vayu, an initiative he co-founded with fellow student Samarth Meattle to address indoor air pollution in classrooms through affordable technology.
The project focuses on a low-cost filtration system designed to attach to existing ceiling fans. The filters, which cost approximately ₹140 each to manufacture, use electrostatically charged fibres to trap fine particulate matter such as PM2.5. When a fan is operational, the filter expands into a balloon-like shape to increase its surface area, allowing air to circulate while filtering out pollutants.
According to the project’s data, these filters have demonstrated a capacity to reduce PM2.5 concentrations by more than 90% within an hour in closed room tests, dropping levels from 158 micrograms per cubic metre to 11 micrograms per cubic metre. The initiative distributes these filters free of charge to underprivileged schools and provides monthly replacements. The team is currently working to expand their reach to an additional 45 schools in New Delhi.
The Diana Award, established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, honours young people worldwide for their humanitarian efforts and social action. Beyond the technical development of the filters, Aggarwal is noted for advocating for youth participation in climate action and the implementation of evidence-based environmental solutions.
Key facts
- The initiative has reached more than 10,000 students across Delhi to date.
- An initial programme covered 295 classrooms and involved the production of 602 filters.
- Each filtration unit is manufactured at a cost of approximately ₹140.
- The system does not require additional technical expertise or equipment to install or operate.
- Project Vayu reports that internal testing showed a 90% reduction in PM2.5 levels within one hour.
Background
The Diana Award is an international recognition that acknowledges young individuals who demonstrate a commitment to bringing about positive change in their communities and improving the lives of others.
Source: Livemint
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