Neerja Bhanot , Ashok Chakra
6 September 2021
My Dear Young and Little Indians,
She is Ms Neerja Bhanot, Ashok Chakra.
Yesterday (5 September) was her martyrdom day (शहीद/ बलिदान दिवस)
Tomorrow (7 September) is her Birthday.
Born on 7 September 1963 in Chandigarh, India.
She was a professional model. She joined Pan America World Airways as a Chief Purser/Cabin Crew or what we commonly refer to as Air-Hostess.
On 5 Sep 1986 she was on duty on board a flight from Bombay (now Mumbai) to USA. This flight had scheduled stops at Karachi (Pakistan) and Frankfurt (Germany).
When the flight/ aircraft landed in Karachi, armed terrorists entered the aircraft and took the passengers hostage.
They wanted the aircraft to fly to Cyprus. Cyprus is an island country between Turkey and Israel.
Since this aircraft was flying to USA, it had many US citizens on board (as passengers). USA is an ally (friend) of Israel. Palestine is an enemy of Israel. Hence ANO wanted to harm US citizens.
When the terrorists were entering the aircraft in Karachi, Neerja Bhanot alerted the pilot (Captain) of the aircraft.
You know what did the pilot do ?
He jumped out of the aircraft along with his co-pilot and Flight Engineer! They escaped, leaving the passengers behind.
Neerja could have also escaped. But she did not.
Neerja took up the responsibility on herself to save the passengers.
The only way these terrorists could recognize US citizens was by checking their passports. Neerja realized this and she quickly collected passports of all passengers and kept them aside, away from the terrorists.
After 17 hours of wait the terrorists started firing inside the aircraft.
Neerja Bhanot opened the emergency exit (Emergency door) of the plane and asked the passengers to jump out and save themselves.
She could have been the first one to jump out save herself. But she did not.
She was helping three children get out of the aircraft when out of sheer frustration, one of the terrorists held Neerja by her pony tail and SHOT her at point blank. (Meaning- shot her at a very close distance).
Neerja Bhanot gave up her life but saved around 350 passengers.
Neerja had promised her parents ,Shrimati Rama Bhanot and Shri Harish Bhanot, that she would return on 7 September 1986, her 23rd birthday.
She did return but in a coffin. Her parents received her body on her birthday.
She was honoured with The Ashok Chakra by the President of The Republic of India.
My Dear Young and Little Indians,
कुछ लोग छोटी सी ज़िन्दगी में बड़े काम कर जाते हैं और अमर हो जाते हैं …….और कुछ लोग लम्बी ज़िन्दगी काट कर इस दुनिया से जाते हैं और दुनिया उन्हें भूल जाती है
ऐसा क्यों होता है ?
Men and women who have the "will to do something" and the "willingness to take responsibility" are the ones who are remembered, always. They are immortal!
Neerja Bhanot, Ashok Chakra is a perfect example of one who took responsibility in public life.
The passengers who she saved at the cost of her own life were neither her friends nor her relatives. She could have easily escaped like the pilots and could have jumped out of the emergency exit. But she did not.
I remember listening to an audio clip some years back where her mother said-
“मैंने और हरीश जी ने पिछले जन्म में ज़रूर कोई पुण्य किया होगा जो इस जन्म में हमें नीरजा जैसी बेटी मिली”
Jai Hind !
Gaurav Negi
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