St Joseph’s Convent High School student Shweta Marandi addresses the UN summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Telegraph picture

“Your bulbs are powered by the blood of tribal people,” a statement by Shweta Marandi, a Class XII student of St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna, left delegates at a United Nations (UN) summit in Brazil aghast.

Marandi is the only student delegate from India participating in United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, a three-day meet at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On the inaugural day of the summit on Wednesday, Marandi spoke on the adverse effects of coal mining on tribal communities in India and on the need to save electricity as the best way to stand by the beleaguered planet.

To drive home her point that the tribals are shedding blood to energise the bulbs, Marandi said coal produces electricity but at the same time coalmines displace several tribals in India.

She added that the tribals who have given land willingly or unwillingly for setting up the coalmines are subjected to exploitation. They do menial jobs at the coalmines and go several hours without food in dire working conditions. She said that this often turns out to be fatal.

According to a news release issued by Tarumitra, a students’ organisation based in Patna that promotes ecological sensitivity, Marandi also spoke on the frugal use of electricity and emphasised on the need of using compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and LED lights at residences and institutions.

Marandi teamed up with Kehkahsan Basu, a Class VIII student from Dubai, and addressed the delegates at a specially designated hall, T-9, at Riocentro Exhibition and Convention Centre, where a number of UN officials had come to listen to the tribal girl from India.

“A 15watt CFL can replace a bulb that uses 100watt of power,” Marandi told the group of delegates.

“I was awed by her insights into the use of electricity,” said Grace, a delegate from the US. “This girl should address the whole of America, where people waste lot of power,” said Grace at the end of the session.

At home, St Joseph’s Convent High School principal is planning a big bash for the student who made them proud in the international arena.

“Shweta is the sole student delegate from India at the UN summit. It’s a big achievement for both Marandi and our school,” said the school principal, Sister Luciana.

“We will give Marandi a big reception when she is back. However, the kind of reception is yet to be decided,” added Luciana.