In the face of adversity, predicting how one might react is hard. Would we have the strength, courage, and grace to act as Neerja Bhanot did?
This is the story of Neerja Bhanot, a 23-year-old flight attendant who saved 359 lives during a hijacking. Her story was brought to life in the 2016 Indian film Neerja, showcasing her bravery and selflessness.
The early life of Neerja Bhanot
Born on September 7, 1963, in Chandigarh, India, Neerja Bhanot grew up in Mumbai. Her friends remember her as a quiet, beautiful girl with long braids and many admirers. She excelled in sports, particularly basketball and gymnastics, and was known for her integrity and willingness to lend a hand whenever a friend was in need.
At 18, Neerja Bhanot’s life took an unexpected turn when a photographer spotted her during a campus barbecue. This led to her first major photo shoot and the start of a brief modeling career. Over the next few years, she became a familiar face in Mumbai, appearing in numerous brand advertisements. This work allowed her to become financially independent and express herself fully.
An unfortunate arranged marriage
At 21, Neerja Bhanot was arranged to marry a man by her father. However, the marriage quickly fell apart due to issues related to the dowry, a system that continues to plague Indian women today. After losing 5 kg from the stress, Neerja returned to her family home. She received a letter from her husband demanding respect and severance from her family, but she bravely decided to end the marriage.
A faithful career choice
In January 1986, Neerja Bhanot applied to Pan American World Airways, which was hiring 80 Indian flight attendants to serve Asian passengers. She was selected from 10,000 applicants and became a flight attendant, a job she loved. However, her joy was short-lived as disaster struck six months into her new career.
The hijacking incident
On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 from Mumbai to Frankfurt was hijacked by four armed terrorists during a stopover at Karachi Airport in Pakistan. The terrorists, disguised as security personnel and armed with rifles, explosives, and grenades, took control of the plane. They intended to fly the plane to Israel and attack the Israeli Ministry of Defense. There were 361 passengers and 19 crew members on board.
Neerja Bhanot’s heroic actions
As the senior flight purser, Neerja Bhanot took charge when the hijackers boarded the plane. She quickly sent a hijack code to the cockpit, allowing the three American pilots and engineers to escape, thus preventing the plane from taking off. She then cleverly hid the passports of 41 American passengers to thwart the hijackers’ plans. In the ensuing 17-hour standoff, Neerja Bhanot remained calm, providing sandwiches and drinks to passengers and reassuring them with her smile.
When the auxiliary power unit failed, and the cabin lights went out, the hijackers began to fire indiscriminately. Neerja, with extraordinary courage, rushed to the emergency exit, opened the door, and assisted passengers in escaping. She could have been the first to escape, but she chose to shield three children from bullets, sacrificing her life.
Remembering Neerja
Neerja Bhanot’s story is an incredible testament to the human spirit and bravery. Her actions saved 359 lives, but her name remains largely unknown. However, the 2016 film Neerja has brought her story to a broader audience, inspiring many with her noble qualities and selfless spirit.
Neerja Bhanot was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra Award — India’s highest peacetime military decoration for bravery. She is the youngest and the only woman recipient of this award. Her parents used the insurance money and compensation from Pan Am to establish the Neerja Bhanot Trust, which awards crew members beyond their duty during crises and supports women who have experienced social injustice in India.
This ordinary girl with an extraordinary spirit has left an indelible mark on the world. Her story reminds us of the incredible power of human courage and selflessness.
