The Incredible Story of Neerja Bhanot - Indian Flight attendant who saved 360 lives On the morning of September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 landed in Karachi. Mr. Bhanot wrote, citing accounts of eyewitnesses. Every year, this trust presents two special awards. Three of the hijackers were fleeing the airport when they were caught by airport security. After her death, her family set up the Neerja Bhanot Trust from the insurance proceeds. Born to a Punjabi family on Sept. 7, 1963, Bhanot spent her early childhood in their home city of Chandigarh, where she was raised by her parents, Harish Bhanot, a journalist at the Hindustan Times, and Rama Bhanot, with two older brothers Akhil and Aneesh. She could have been the first one to get out when she opened the emergency exit when , after 17 hours , the lights had gone off . At the time, Bhanot secretly removed a page from a manual that explained how to open the 3R aircraft door and exit through a slide down to the apron. 2023 BBC. Suddenly, there were screams and three or four shots were fired in the air. He considers Neerja his role model, and says he owes every day of his life to her. Sunshine called Dilip over to help, and the two carried Neerja to the emergency slide. To scare the people in the plane they even shot dead a Person of Indian Origin named . If you read us, like us and want this positive movement to grow, then do consider supporting us via the following buttons. [24] In 2006, she and the other Pan Am Flight 73 flight attendants and Pan Am's flight director for Pakistan were awarded the Special Courage award by the United States Department of Justice. She hid American passports and eventually opened the emergency exits. Neerja Bhanot: Watch India TV's special report to know the true story of a brave air hostess who saved life of hundreds of passengers during plane hijack. Know about the heroic deeds of these people as well: 10 Stories Of Human Bravery And Kindness During The Chennai Floods That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity. Because her story isn't just about how she , a young 22 year old woman, bravely saved 359 lives all while sacrificing her own . And, the second one is awarded to an Indian woman who faced social injustice, but refused to let herself down with it, and instead, helped other women facing similar issues. It was a short jump to reach the wing of the plane. Indian Civil Aviation Ministrys Award 6. The terrorists used Neerja For a more personalised . [17], Bhanot House of Austrey School was named in her honour. The name of this film is Neerja, directed by Ram Madhvani.Actress Sonam Kapoor played the character of Neerja Bhanot in a film, the film hit the theaters on 19 February 2016.The events in the plane are shown very closely in this film. But she was in her full senses and told her two colleagues to take care of her bullet-hit arm. When you do a movie that is based on such reality and pain and follows the true story of heroism and love, its truly overwhelming. One of the children, who had been saved by Neerja during the hijack, is now a captain of a major airline. PA 73 was en route to Frankfurt and onward to New York City. Ashok Chakra Award, India 2. Somehow, Neerja hid some passports of American citizens under the seats. The biopic of airhostess Neerja Bhanot, who died a heroic death while saving 350 passengers, struck the right chords India TV Entertainment Desk Updated on: February 23, 2016 10:24 IST URL copied Neerja Bhanot was the senior flight attendant aboard Pam Am Flight 73 when it landed in Karachi, Pakistan, on the morning of September 1986. Ashok Chakra Award, India 2. Her heroic story has now been converted into a film where actress, Sonam Kapoor, is playing her part. Following her ad-based arranged marriage in March 1985, she had gone to the Gulf to join her husband to set up a happy home. Massey had already exited down the slide just moments earlier, taking three unaccompanied children with him. Not only did she save the lives of most of the hostages, she stopped the plane even getting off the ground. Sherene and Sunshine were the cabin crew who spent the most time with lead hijacker Zaid Hassan Abd Latif Safarini. Heavily armed terrorists dressed as airport security guards entered the aircraft while firing shots from an automatic weapon. Travis Whittemore Death Reason He was an air force veteran and He saved to be a pilot for a Major airline then they go through his phone they said it was a case of child pornography. Not only did she become an inspiration for millions of people all over the world and got numerous medals for her brave act, but was also the first woman recipient of the countrys highest bravery award to a civilian, the Ashok Chakra. She went back to save the kids who were stuck inside and. Sunshine remained alert. Around 9:00 p.m., the auxiliary power unit shut down, turning all lighting off. Neerja was one among them. Neerja was a very sensitive, deeply affectionate and an extremely decent person who believed in sharing with her people all her joys but not the jolts. It was Frank Small, a non-Indian and someone who has been working in the airline industry for 31 years, who remembered Neerja on the day with this touching Facebook post of her story. He considers Neerja his role model, and says he owes every day of his life to her. The hijackers, who were a part of Abu Nidal Organisation, were allegedly backed by Libya. A square in Mumbai's Ghatkopar (East) suburb was named after her by the Mumbai Corporation. "Neerja was a very sensitive, deeply affectionate and an extremely decent person who believed in sharing with her people all her joys but not the jolts. A fifth accomplice, Wadoud Muhammad Hafiz al-Turki (alias Hafiz), was captured a week later. And after almost 17-hour ordeal, the gunmen opened fire and explosives. Recommended Read: The Story Of An Indore Bachelor Who Is The Youngest Indian To Adopt A Special Child Will Leave You Inspired. The hijacker didn't seem to know much about the plane so he didn't look for it," says Sunshine. Abcarian: Mask mandates? 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They climbed back in through the door they had come through, and along with Sherene and another colleague, assisted and redirected passengers to the inflated slide. Disguised as airport security guards, the hijackers possessed assault rifles, pistols, grenades and plastic explosive belts. But she was the captain, who believed that she had to be the last person to quit alive or dead., The shock of being hit by bullets did not stop her heart-beat. She knew theyd be after more Americans, so she bravely hid theirs, chucking some of them down the rubbish chute while she had the chance. Neerjas family has given full support to the biopic movie. Lives in The United States of America (2008-present) 6 y I do not know of the other two but one of the young kids saved by Neerja (then 7) is now the owner of an Airplane company. The filmmakers also released Neerjas last voice recording in which she could be heard making an announcement to the passengers of her Pan Am flight, just moments before the plane was hijacked. Neerja Tiwari's birthday is on the 1st of January. Age progressed photos of the four were made using new technology just last year, and the suspects are still listed on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorists page. He repeatedly led either Sunshine or Sherene at gunpoint up to the upper deck cockpit, using them as human shields while he peeked round them to have a look outside. "Survivors [of such atrocities] are living each day with the memories," says Madhvi. I just cant forget that sight. Share. There were more than 350 passengers in the plane. Whittemore is facing up to 20 years in prison for this case and any possession of pornography. 22 cr. According to a surviving passenger, "She was guiding the passengers to the emergency exit. While saving the lives of 380 passengers . Neerja was well trained in anti-hijack measures. She was helped to walk to the ambulance. The aircraft, which had just arrived from Mumbai, carried 365 passengers and 16 crew members. Two other doors were opened during the bloodbath: one by another attendant, and another by the passenger who received Bhanots page, which was the only exit opened to have a slide deploy. Firing their weapons and manhandling a flight attendant, the hijackers took control of the Boeing 747-121 . Musician Nayan Pancholi recounts how he lost his eye but survived the Pan Am flight hijack in 1986. But, she was the captain, who believed that she had to be the last person to quit alive or dead., Recommended Read: This Cafe In Agra That Hires Only Acid Attack Victims Will Reinstate Your Faith In Humanity. But, the crew of three American members including a pilot, a co-pilot and the flight engineer fled from the. Although the hijackers had closed the doors and lowered the shutters earlier, the air conditioning and lights had been on. TIL that Neerja Bhanot, an Indian flight, attendant hid the passports of American passengers on board a hijacked flight to save them from the terrorits. In the dead body, I saw bullets had hit her in the abdomen, on the shoulder near the neck and in the arm. Read about our approach to external linking. As emergency lights went on, passengers were again ordered to move. India Today Web Desk. The trust presents two awards every year, one for a flight crew member, worldwide, who acts beyond the call of duty and another, the Neerja Bhanot Award, to an Indian woman who when faced with social injustice, bravely faced the situation and helped other women in similar social distress. We at The Better India want to showcase everything that is working in this country. Someone who could have easily escaped the plane hijacked by the terrorists, but she chose to stay put and help the passengers in the flight. Neerja Bhanot, who was killed at 22, posthumously became the youngest recipient of the Ashoka Chakra Award, Indias highest peacetime military decoration for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy.. And then another militant, his AK-47 and grenades in clear view, instructed Sunshine to take him to the captain. Neerja had been shot in her hip and was bleeding heavily, but was conscious. Now he is under the charge online and position of child pornography. Remembering Neerja Bhanot on hijacked Pan Am Flight 73. The bloodbath began when the hijackers tried to cause a massive explosion that would kill everyone on board, including themselves. But why then did they award the Pan Am hero? Outside on the tarmac, Pan Am's Karachi director Viraf Doroga used a megaphone to begin negotiations with the hijackers. Though she was only 22 at the time, Bhanot's quick thinking saved the pilots and hundreds of others from a treacherous 17-hour ordeal that claimed 20 lives including her own. But she returned to her family in Mumbai after just two months,following dowry pressure from her husband. It was a very bad day for humanity. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. They saw another door had been deployed in automatic, which meant that the emergency slide was inflated. When no pilot materialised within the hour, Mr Kumar was shot and kicked out of the plane. Bhanot, being the most senior cabin crew member on board, took charge. They seized control of the plane 40 minutes after its landing, but the timely exit of the pilots through an emergency hatch in the cockpit immobilized the craft. There were more than 350 passenger's in the plane. . Except Neerja, all other air hostesses were tied up with the ropes. Here is her story-. While helping three children slide down the chute of the emergency exit, Neerja was hit by bullets. This incident has had a deep impact on me. I tried to open the emergency exit door, but couldnt do it. In September 1986, when 23-year-old Neerja Bhanot died trying to save passengers of the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73 from the bullets of hijackers, Indians sawperhaps for the first timethat an . According to the FBI they are believed to have been members of the Abu Nidal Organisation, a known terrorist organisation. Special Courage Award, US Government 5. Neerja was born in Chandigarh to journalist Harish Bhanot and his wife Rama. The award includes a sum of 150,000 Indian rupees (around $2,100) a trophy and a citation. So, I was taken to Chicago in the US for treatment, but the doctors there too couldnt save my left eye. When she opened the emergency exit, she could have herself been the first to slide down the chute. The crew of Pan Am Flight 73 (three of whom are pictured here with their colleagues) were all in their early to mid 20s at the time of the hijack. But, the crew of three American members including a pilot, a co-pilot and the flight engineer fled from the aircraft, thus leaving her in charge. The gunmen's plan was to force the pilots to fly them to Cyprus and Israel, where other members of their militant group were incarcerated on terror charges. (Interestingly, one of those children who was seven years old at the time, grew up to be a pilot who says that every day of his life he thanks Neerja for saving him.) Sunshine and Dilip were also on the wing, but in the darkness couldn't gauge the distance of the drop. Neerja saved 359 lives. "Neerja's life may have been saved were conditions in the hospital better.". [12][17], For her bravery, the Government of India posthumously awarded Bhanot the Ashoka Chakra Award, India's highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy during peacetime. Recommended Read: This Crazy Fact About 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' Cast Will Leave You Totally Shocked! One of the children Neerja saved, who was just seven at the time, is now a pilot. After 48 hours, the Indian Airlines flight took all the Indians back home. She was at the entrance of the aircraft when the terrorists boarded. And screams.". After being selected, she flew to Miami to train as a flight attendant, but surprised her family when she returned home as a purser (chief flight attendant). Hindi. There was a bloody end - 22 people killed and about 150 injured. But the marriage went sour within two months. They occasionally worked the same flight and ran into each other at layovers. Yes, we are talking about none other than Indias brave daughter, the flight attendant of Pan Am Flight 73, Neerja Bhanot. Image Courtesy: Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust. Neerja Bhanot was senior flight purser on the Empress of the Seas, a Pan Am 747 hijacked at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi by four armed men from the Abu Nidal organization en route to Frankfurt and New York. Why is Sri Lanka bending rules to buy Indian medicines? However, Nupoor Abrol, one of the crew members who was on-board the Pan Am flight claims that in the movie, undeserved adulation has been given to Neerja Bhanot. At the time, they planned to use the plane to retrieve Palestinian prisoners in both Cyprus and Israel. "They had lost patience. Aside from the Ashoka Chakra, Bhanot also received posthumous awards from Pakistan and the U.S. A total of 22 people including Bhanot died and about 150 more sustained injuries in the hijacking, according to the, Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim (Fahad) in 2000 (Left) and his age-processed image in 2018 (Right). When she opened the emergency exit, she could have herself been the first to slide down the chute. Neerja, the film based on the bravery of Pan Am flight attendant Neerja Bhanot who saved the lives of 359 people after the plane was hijacked, released on Friday and it has done very well. She was truly a great leader. There is a square in Mumbais Ghatkopar (East) suburb, which is named after her and is called the Neerja Bhanot Chowk. Neerja may still be alive if she'd been cared for right away," says Sunshine. Neerja and a passenger flung open two emergency doors, allowing many passengers to escape. Rajesh Kumar, whom Safarini had promised to kill if a pilot did not arrive soon. Its as simple as that in end. . Our tickets got confirmed at the last moment on Pan-Am Flight-73, which was headed from Mumbai to New York, via Karachi and Frankfurt. These are general horoscope predictions based on the sun signs. Someone who could have easily escaped the plane hijacked by the terrorists, but she chose to stay put and help the passengers in the . Something wrong? "The stories may differ but the spirit remains the same.". When she alerted the pilots about the hijack, they were the first ones to run away Mr. Bhanot who died in 2008 wrote, according to the, After being selected, she flew to Miami to train as a flight attendant, but surprised her family when she returned home as a. Except Neerja, all other flight attendants were tied up with ropes. we wonder how the makers will respond to this! In March 1985, Bhanot, 21, wed a businessman in an ad-based arranged marriage that turned out to be the worst two months of her life to that point. That's how India remembers Neerja Bhanot, the 22-year-old air hostess, who saved lives of . Bhanot was able to alert the cockpit crew as soon as the hijackers boarded the plane, and as the plane was on the apron, the three-member cockpit crew of pilot, co-pilot and the flight engineer fled from the aircraft through an overhead hatch in the cockpit. Sonam Kapoor's Neerja, a biopic on the courageous air hostess who sacrificed her life to save 359 passengers on board the hijacked PanAm flight in 1986, opened to a great first day on Friday,. Bhanot was the Senior Flight Purser on Pan Am Flight 73 flying from Bombay to the United States via Karachi and Frankfurt, which was hijacked by four armed men on 5 September 1986. They didn't discuss the hijack. Image via. The family later moved to Mumbai. She personally met Bhanots mother, Rama, before the latter died in 2015. Neerja was shot while protecting three kids from the terrorists. 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