Neerja Bhanot was an Indian flight attendant who displayed extraordinary courage and sacrifice during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 on September 5, 1986. She saved the lives of numerous passengers before being fatally shot by the terrorists. Her bravery posthumously earned her the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.
Early Life and Career
Neerja Bhanot was born on September 7, 1963, in Chandigarh, India, to Harish and Rama Bhanot. She was raised in Mumbai, where she completed her education at Sacred Heart School and St. Xavier’s College. Known for her strong sense of independence and resilience, Neerja initially pursued modeling and gained popularity in print and television advertisements.
In 1985, she joined Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) as a flight attendant and was later promoted to the position of senior purser on international flights.
The Hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73
On September 5, 1986, Neerja was on duty as the head purser aboard Pan Am Flight 73, which was on a stopover at Karachi, Pakistan, en route from Mumbai to New York. The flight was hijacked by four armed terrorists from the Abu Nidal Organization, who aimed to take American passengers hostage.
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Quick Thinking: Neerja acted swiftly by alerting the cockpit crew, allowing them to escape and preventing the terrorists from forcing the pilots to fly the aircraft.
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Protecting Passengers: Over the next 17 hours, she remained calm, ensuring that passengers were safe while managing the tense situation.
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Ultimate Sacrifice: As the terrorists opened fire and started executing passengers, Neerja led a courageous evacuation. She helped passengers, particularly women, children, and elderly travelers, escape through emergency exits. She was shot while shielding three children from the bullets.
Her bravery saved over 300 lives, including several American passengers who later testified to her heroism.
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Posthumous Recognition and Legacy
For her extraordinary courage, Neerja Bhanot was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, making her the youngest recipient of the honor.
Other notable recognitions include:
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Tamgha-e-Insaniyat (Pakistan's civilian award for humanitarian service)
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Special Courage Award (United States, from the Justice Department)
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Flight Safety Foundation Heroism Award (United States)
Her story inspired numerous tributes, books, and a Bollywood biopic, "Neerja" (2016) starring Sonam Kapoor. The film brought global attention to her heroic actions.
Summary
Neerja Bhanot was a Pan Am flight attendant who heroically sacrificed her life while saving over 300 passengers during the hijacking of Flight 73 in 1986. Through her quick thinking and bravery, she protected lives until her final moments. Honored with the Ashoka Chakra and several international awards, Neerja remains an eternal symbol of courage, selflessness, and humanity.
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