Neerja Bhanot

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“मर जाऊंगी मैं लेकिन भागूंगी नहीं”

 (Translation - “I would rather die than run away”)

- Neerja Bhanot

Neerja Bhanot, a bold and beautiful woman, was a 23-year-old Indian flight purser who sacrificed her life while saving passengers from a hijacked airplane.

Neerja was born on 7 September, 1985, to Harish and Rama Bhanot in Chandigarh. However, she was brought up in Mumbai, where she completed her schooling as well as graduation. Her formosity and intellect helped her achieve a successful modelling career. Featured in magazines and advertisements, she was truly a sight to behold. At 19, after getting married and facing domestic and verbal abuse, she left her husband and applied for a flight attendant job with Pan Am Airlines. Bhanot was soon promoted to the role of purser.

On the ominous day of September 5, 1986, Flight 73 was flying between Bombay and the USA. When it stopped at Karachi Jinnah Airport, a notorious terrorist group hijacked and demanded the aircraft to be flown to Cyprus. However, Neerja was fortunately able to send an emergency warning code to the cockpit. She maintained her calm throughout, fulfilled her duties and proved to be a beacon of hope for the crewmates and passengers. In one such instance where terrorists demanded American passports, she hid them under seats or down the garbage chute in order to protect and conceal their identity. After 17 hours, the terrorists opened fire, which wreaked havoc within the aircraft. Neerja was shot two days before her birthday, while helping passengers escape through the emergency exits.

Bhanot is a fine example of a true martyr. Through her selfless act when she chose to prioritize the safety of her passengers, she saved more than 300 lives. Neerja has received various accolades from the USA, India and Pakistan for immense bravery and courage. Her parents have initiated a Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust that provides support to young women to overcome social injustice as well as airline crew members who depict great fortitude during a crisis.

Neerja Bhanot continues to be an inspiration for many young women out there and her story will never be forgotten.