Delhi teen turns ordinary fans into air purifiers for Rs 140 only, wins the Diana Award 2026. Who is Krish Aggarwal?

Imagine if instead of shelling out a thousands for an airpurifier, what if your ordinary wall or table fan could be converted into an airpurifier? A young and aspiring Delhi teen, Krish Aggarwal is working on Project Vayu. It is an initiative to ensure affordable filter that can be available into existing fans. With this, instead of investing heavily to install air purifiers in each classrooms in school, all that needs to be done is pay Rs 140 and better air. For his initiative, Krish has earned himself a place on the 2026 Diana Award Roll of Honour.

How does Project Vayu turn fans into air purifiers?

According to Project Vayu's official website, Krish Aggarwal, a class 12th student of Sanskriti School and Samarth Meattle, class 11 student at Vasant Valley School, co-founded the initiative to make classroom air filtration more affordable. They wanted to help out schools improve the air quality without being dependent on standalone air purifiers. All it would use is an electret filter media, which captures PM2.5 particles through electrostatic attraction. It is designed to work with standard table and wall fans while maintaining a low pressure drop.

Its installation is also simple. The filter takes a balloon-like shape when inflated, creating around five square feet of filter surface. An elastic lining then fits over the fan grille. The website says it can be installed in under a minute, without tools or special expertise.

Why is Krish Aggarwal's initiative winning recognition?

Indoor air pollution can affect children's health and their ability to learn. Krish wanted to address this problem, particularly in schools with limited resources.

According to the Diana Award website, Project Vayu has distributed its filters across underprivileged schools in Delhi, benefiting more than 10,000 students. Apart from developing the technology, Krish also advocates evidence-based environmental solutions and youth-led climate action. His work has now earned him a place on the 2026 Diana Award Roll of Honour.

How much does the fan filter cost?

One of Project Vayu's biggest advantages is its pricing. According to information on its website, each filter costs Rs 140 and needs to be replaced monthly.

The initiative says schools receive the filters at no cost. Its pricing model is designed around making large-scale distribution possible rather than generating profit. This allows the project to offer a low-cost alternative to conventional air-cleaning equipment.