When she became the first Maharashtrian girl to climb Mt Everest, Pune-based 19-year-old Krushnaa Patil wanted to dance with joy atop the world's highest peak.
"However, I was overawed and mesmerised by the sheer experience of having made it there. I remained silent for a few minutes, enjoying the divine early morning atmosphere at the top of the world," Krushnaa told IANS here Tuesday.
Krushnaa's desire stemmed from the fact that she is a qualified professional Indian classical dancer.
"At the peak of Mt. Everest there is are approximately three square metres of snow. I could have done a jig, but the experience was too moving and memorable for me to do it at that time," she said.
Asked about her plans, Krushnaa, who is an arts undergraduate at Pune University, says: "I want to work as an environmentalist, attempt to save the earth's ecology, work in the field of global warming, raising awareness of environment for the survival of mankind and related aspects."
The only child of Madhav and Ranjana, Krushnaa and her team carried five tonnes of garbage on their way down from Mt. Everest.
When asked what struck her at the top of the world, she thought for a moment and replied: "I was surprised to see a 12-inch tall, shining golden statue of Lord Buddha, glittering at 6.30 a.m., when we were perched there. It had been kept there a few weeks ago by three Sherpa brothers who had gone there."
{{/usCountry}}When asked what struck her at the top of the world, she thought for a moment and replied: "I was surprised to see a 12-inch tall, shining golden statue of Lord Buddha, glittering at 6.30 a.m., when we were perched there. It had been kept there a few weeks ago by three Sherpa brothers who had gone there."
{{/usCountry}}Krushnaa is also a passionate designer of jewellery, interiors and dance costumes.
"That will always be my hobby, my desire is to work for environment. I hope to join the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to pursue it," she said.