Amid scorching heat, West Champaran potter’s ‘desi fridge’ keeps water cool upto 48 hours

Bettiah: As the mercury surges past 40°C and the summer sun turns relentless across north Bihar, relief is coming not from a compressor or power socket, but from clay, water and craft.

In Banchahri village of Bagaha block in West Champaran district, 40-year-old potter Hari Pandit has reinvented a traditional art to answer a very modern crisis—extreme heat and rising electricity costs.Pandit’s handmade clay-based “desi fridge”, which keeps water naturally cool for up to 48 hours without electricity, is fast becoming popular in the region. What began as an experiment to save his ancestral profession has now emerged as a practical, eco-friendly alternative to conventional refrigerators for households struggling with high power bills or irregular supply.For years, Pandit watched the demand for traditional earthenware collapse as plastic and paper utensils flooded the market. “Our craft was on the verge of extinction. But instead of giving up, I decided to innovate,” he said. Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a self-reliant India, Pandit combined traditional knowledge with thoughtful design to create the desi fridge.Unlike ordinary earthen pots, the jar undergoes a unique and painstaking preparation process.

Though made from regular clay, it is neither kiln-fired nor dried under direct sunlight. “The clay is kneaded in a special way and kept under shade for 14 days, with constant monitoring. That process is what gives it the cooling strength,” Pandit explained.The jar, available in 10-litre and 20-litre capacities, is designed for convenience. It has a lid on top for filling water and a tap at the bottom for dispensing, ensuring hygiene by eliminating hand contact.

The design has struck a chord with buyers, particularly during the ongoing heatwave.Pandit currently sells 15 to 20 units a day, with demand pouring in from Bettiah, Motihari and nearby areas. Priced at Rs 350 for the 10-litre model and Rs 500 for the 20-litre one—higher than traditional earthen pots—customers say the benefits justify the cost.“The water stays cool for two to three days, tastes better and feels lighter,” said Upendra Tiwari, a satisfied customer. Another buyer, Dhiraj Prasad, described the product as a lifeline for families unable to afford expensive refrigerators. “It is cheap, durable and perfect for this extreme heat,” he said.As temperatures continue to soar across West Champaran, Pandit’s desi fridge stands as a reminder that innovation rooted in tradition can offer simple, sustainable solutions to modern challenges.