I just cannot describe the feeling of sitting close to former US vice-president Al Gore and Noble laureate R.K. Pachauri.'

In her three-minute speech at the summit, Yugratna called upon world leaders and politicians to work together to save mother earth. 'I asked them that If we can work together for security and peace, then why not for climatic changes as they affect us all.'

Yugratna, who claims to be 'crazy about the environment', wants to make a career either in astrophysics and astronomy. 'From the professional point of view, the two fields interest me.'

A student of St. Fidelis College in Lucknow, Yugratna has her ideal in Kalpana Chawla.

She was given a rousing welcome at her school. Not only students, even the teachers jostled for space to have their photo taken with the girl.

'What Yugratna has done is excellent. We are proud of her. She has brought our college on the international map,' college principal Father Basil told reporters.