The Bravery-tale of Neerja Bhanot; read this if you’re planning to watch ‘Neerja’

5th September 1986. Neerja started her day like another day of dutiful work. She was assigned to be the senior cabin crew for the Pan Am flight 73 which was heading to New York from Mumbai. Standing just two days away from her 24th birthday, little did she know what fate had planned for her.

On its way to New York, the flight subroutine halted at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Neerja and her colleagues were waiting for the halt to be over. Meanwhile, they got prepared for the next part of the flight and for welcoming the new passengers who would be boarding from Karachi. Suddenly, four men dressed like security guards entered the flight. But wait, what were they doing with guns? Why were they firing? Everyone in the flight froze.

It took the passengers and the crew less than a minute to understand that fate had betrayed them; yes, the flight was hijacked.Neerja immediately warned the cockpit crew. They quickly escaped, thanks to the overhead hatch. Neerja could escape safely too, but she was responsible for the safety of everyone on-board. How could she possibly so selfish?

Who were the attackers? They represented Abu Nidal Organization, and were backed by Lybia.

They soon ordered Neerja and other crew members to collect passport from passengers so that they could identify the Americans. Americans were their prime targets, understood Neerja. Such were her sharpness and reflex that she, quickly along with other cabin crews, hid passports of 41 passengers; few under the seat and the rest under a rubbish chute.

After 17 hours, the hijackers brutally set off explosives and opened fire. Neerja immediately opened the emergency door and started helping the passengers in escaping. Couldn’t she just jump out and save her life? She could. She chose not to run away. Instead, she fought back till she could. But who can change what fate has in store for you? None. While shielding three children from bullets, she died.

We don’t remember many brave stories like this. Neerja Bhanot remains the youngest recipient of Ashok Chakra Award. She was internationally recognised as “the heroine of the hijack”.

The trailer of Sonam Kapoor starrer ‘Neerja’ has been ruling the internet off late. Directed by Ram Madhvani and produced under the banner of Fox Star Studios, the film narrates the entire story of Neerja Bhanot. While ‘Neerja’ is expected to be one of the most impactful biopics of the year, we hope this forms a strong example of selflessness and bravery.

Standing salutes!

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.