I had no clue of who Neerja Bhanot was until I saw the
trailer of the movie “Neerja” on television. The heroine whom I hate the most
was starring in it. But the movie was looking extremely gripping and I decided
to watch it not for anyone else, but the shero, Ms. Neerja Bhanot who died a
tragic death while saving passengers on a Pan-Am flight of which she was the
chief purser.
I decided to delve more into her life and read everything
available on the net. This young fiery girl was just 23 years old when the
tragedy befell on her and her family. She had done a couple of modeling
assignments and now I recollect seeing her face on the television in a few
advertisements. She was beautiful, simple, and full of life, belonged to a
closely knit loving Punjabi family. She had two elder brothers and she was the
youngest and pampered. She got married at a young age, but faced dowry
harassment and had to come back to her parents and then she started a new life
with making a career in the Airlines. That fateful day she or her family would
have never believed that they are seeing each other for the last time.
4 terrorists hijacked the flight in Karachi, Pakistan and
they wanted to fly to Cyprus to free their jailed fellow-men. Fortunately
Neerja warned the pilots and they fled as per the protocol. So the flight was
stranded at the airport without anyone to fly the plane. Negotiations started
and the terrorists badly wanted a pilot or else they threatened to kill
passengers one by one. 18 hours flew, nothing happened. All the crew and
passengers and the terrorists were losing their hope and getting despaired. The
crew managed to do their duty even in these circumstances. I was constantly in
tears watching all this on the big screen. I was imagining the plight of the people
who were really stuck in there. What must be going through their minds that
time? They must be praying and thinking about all the good times they spent
with their loved ones as no one knew if they would be killed next. Neerja hid
passports of American passengers so that they won’t get killed. What presence
of mind!
Finally the terrorists realized that their demands won’t be
met and they started firing left and right and throwing grenades. The crew
managed to open the emergency exit and helped lot of passengers to flee. Neerja
was shot while saving three children to escape who were stuck in the smoke. She
could have escaped like other people but she chose to remain there and do her
duty. Only when everybody came down, she also let go and came down, bleeding
profusely. What noble soul she was! She put her life in danger and saved lives
of 359 passengers out of the 379. She was awarded the Ashok Chakra – India's
highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy during peace time.
A postal stamp was also released in her name and a road in Mumbai was given her
name. Her parents founded the Neerja Bhanot Award which was given to one crew member
worldwide who acted beyond the call of duty and another one for women who faced
social injustice such as dowry and also helped other women in similar
situations. Pakistan and America also gave her awards.
She became a martyr. She did not die. She will remain in the
hearts of all passengers on the flight that day and who are alive today.
Thank you Neerja for showing the world that humanity is
above caste, creed and religion.
Thank you Neerja for showing the world that duty lies above
everything.
You died a heroic death just like a soldier and I salute you
for your spirit.
Proud to have known you Neerja!
Proud to be a woman!
In case you want to read more about her:
Indeed an inspiring figure. Personalities like Neerja makes me look at the crew members of a plane... what we see them doing is just a small part of the whole responsibilities they carry behind their smiling faces.
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