An Indian government unit established to develop soaps and medicinal products from cow dung has branched out with a "chip" it claims can protect people from cellphone radiation.
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Without explaining how the technology works, the head of the National Cow Commission -- set up last year -- said the device could simply be placed inside a mobile phone's protective cover.
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"We have seen that if you keep this chip in your mobile, it reduces radiation significantly," chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria told a news conference.
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"Cow dung is anti-radiation, it protects all, if you bring this home your place will become radiation-free... All this has been approved by science," he said.
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Kathiria provided no further details on what research had been done, and the announcement sparked considerable ridicule on social media.
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Cows are considered sacred by the country's majority Hindus and eating beef is banned in many states.
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Kathiria told the Indian Express newspaper the chips were being manufactured by more than 500 cow refuge shelters and cost around 100 rupees ($1.36).
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"One person is exporting such chips to the US, where it is sold at about $10 each," he was quoted as saying by the English-language daily.
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Since coming to power in 2014, Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has earmarked millions of dollars for research into products using cow dung and urine.
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Although there is no scientific evidence, several politicians from Modi's right-wing party have advocated using the dung and urine to cure the coronavirus.
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