BRAVER THAN MOST

         Bravery comes in many forms, but the act isn’t just heroism – it’s not about risking your life to do something crazy or to do something out of this world. It’s about sticking to your duty, no matter how dire the circumstances are, and doing your best to uphold your principles that bind you to your duty. Neerja Bhanot is a great example of this philosophy, and her selfless act of courage helped save the lives of many passengers of the flight she was head purser of.

            Terrorists from the Abu Nidal organisation were bent on hijacking a commercial airplane flying from Mumbai to Frankfurt via Karachi. They smuggled themselves on board as flight officers when the plane was refuelling in Karachi. They had planned on taking the plane to Cypress, using the civilians as a bargaining chip for releasing their comrades. What they hadn’t bargained for was that Neerja, being head purser of the cabin crew had managed to convey the hijack code to the cockpit, which enabled the pilot and chief engineers to escape, effectively marooning the plane in Karachi. The terrorists, now at a loss as to how to proceed, threatened to shoot the passengers if the airport didn’t release a pilot. The terrorists arrested the aircraft for over 8 hours, filled with terrified passengers, uncertain about their fate.                          Neerja played an important role in saving their lives. When people were terrified, she did her best to reassure them. She tried to continue the regular routine of the cabin crew by distributing refreshments to the passengers. At one point, the terrorists demanded that the passports of the Americans be collected so that potential hostages could be identified. Neerja and the other members hid the American passports by stuffing them behind seats. When the terrorists were distracted, Neerja and another passenger managed to open the emergency exits and lead the passengers out of the aircraft. Till the last, Neerja was helping passengers out of the aircraft and gave her life trying to shield three children from the bullets fired by the terrorists. Her timely action and presence of mind managed to reduce the casualty to a minimum. She passed away just days before her 23^rd birthday.

            She was given many awards by different organisations and was also received the Ashok Chakra, becoming the youngest Indian to receive this honour. Her story is a lesson, not just because she was brave, but she never abandoned her post even when she could have saved her life, putting the safety of the passengers under her wing above her life.