seedhi Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 An amazing account of a brave Indian woman. 24 yrs after Pan Am hijack, Neerja Bhanot killer falls to drone WASHINGTON: Half of India's population today wasn't born when she died in 1986 in a hail of gunfire on a hijacked plane after courageously saving scores of passengers, a feat for which she was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra in India, Tamgha-e-Insaniyat in Pakistan and the Justice for Crimes Award in the US. Earlier this week, some 24 years after her heroism, one of her killers died a dog's death in the badlands of Pakistan, reportedly shot to pieces in a US drone attack. The saga of Neerja Bhanot transfixed India at a time where there was no 24-hour news television and it had little to do with the fact that her father was a New Delhi journalist. She was a flight attendant on Pan Am Flight 73 as it headed out of Mumbai to Karachi en route to Frankfurt and onward to New York City. Four armed men dressed as airport security guards stormed the plane in Karachi. The cabin crew managed to alert the pilots, who decamped, effectively grounding the flight. In the hours-long ordeal that followed, Neerja showed exemplary courage, attested by some 350 passengers who survived the nightmare, although some 20 died and 120 were wounded after hijackers opened fire on them when Pakistani commandos prepared to storm the plane. Among her acts of courage was her refusal to collect US passports and hiding some of them as the hijackers sought to isolate Americans and Indians. She knew they meant business when one of the hijackers pulled Rajesh Kumar, a 29-year-old Indian American California resident to the front of the aircraft, asked him to kneel at the door, and shot him in the head when their demand for a new flight crew was not met. Neerja died shielding three children from gunfire as a bloody massacre erupted on the plane. The hijackers, who were said to be from the Abu Nidal Organisation, were eventually captured, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death in 1988. But in a Pakistan that became increasingly permissive about terrorism, the sentences were later commuted to life in prison. In 2001, Zayd Hassan Abd Al-Latif Masud Al Safarini, the hijacker who shot Rajesh Kumar among others, was captured by the FBI in Bangkok after he was released in Pakistan and was on his way back to Jordan. He was taken to the US where he was sentenced to a 160-year prison term he is now serving in Colorado. Four others who were in Pakistan's Adiala jail were freed in January 2008 even as the US fumed about Islamabad's action. The FBI announced a $5 million bounty on their head, pretty much ensuring their days are numbered. Earlier this week, Pakistani intelligence officials announced that a January 9 missile strike in the North Waziristan tribal region killed Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim, one of the hijackers. His affiliation is disputed. The FBI's web site lists him as a Palestinian with possible Lebanese citizenship. The Pakistani officials called him an al-Qaida member, but the FBI site says he was a member of the Abu Nidal Palestinian terrorist group. There are no doubts about Neerja's affiliation though. She belongs to India's Hall of Courage. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/24-yrs-after-Pan-Am-hijack-Neerja-Bhanot-killer-falls-to-drone/articleshow/5454295.cms
seedhi Posted January 17, 2010 Author Posted January 17, 2010 Brave in life, brave in death By Illa Vij AS bullets mercilessly riddled into her body, Neerja’s body swayed, but she continued her duty of protecting the airline passengers. Finally her mortal body fell, but her soul rose to heights from where there can never be any fall ever again — the arms of God, the very Almighty who sent her to earth as a guardian angel of 400 passengers of the fateful flight of Pan Am. The citation by the Pan Am rightfully says: "Neerja was called upon under the most difficult conditions, at the most difficult time, to step forward in a position of leadership. And her heroic actions were, clearly responsible for the saving of hundreds of lives". Neerja is the first and only woman recipient of the "Ashok Chakra" (India’s highest civilian award for bravery). She was also awarded the "Tagme-e-Insaniyat" (Pakistan), the flight Safety Foundation Award and the Medal of Heroism of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (U.S.A.). The Ashok Chakra citation states:- "Her loyalties to the passengers of the aircraft in distress will forever be a lasting tribute to the finest qualities of the human spirit". Neerja Bhanot was born to Harish and Rama Bhanot on September 7, 1963, in Chandigarh. She did her early schooling at the local Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School. When the family moved to Bombay, she continued her studies at Bombay Scottish and then graduated from St. Xavier’s College. Neerja grew into a sensitive, caring and compassionate being. Over and above, her inner beauty reflected on her serene, beautiful face. Following an advertisement-based, arranged marriage in March 1985, she joined her husband in the Gulf. Under the strain of dowry pressure, Neerja returned home to her parents, at Bombay, within two months. On return, Neerja signed modelling contract. Her husband dictated humiliating terms for her return to him. Neerja and her family did not comply and the marriage turned sour. Very soon, she applied for a flight attendant’s job with Pan Am. Upon selection, she went to Miami for training as a flight attendant but returned as purser. Immensely dedicated, Neerja made a wonderful model as well as an air hostess. Never did she compromise on any of her commitments. The night prior to the fateful Pan Am flight on September 5, 1986, she had returned from a day-long shooting assignment. She was the "Senior Flight Purser" on the flight on which her intense compassion and undaunted courage was to be tested — that test which made her so very special to our country, to the world, to humanity. At Karachi, the plane was hijacked by four heavily armed terrorists. Immediately, Neerja rushed towards the cockpit to inform the captain. A terrorist caught her by her ponytail but she managed to shout the ‘hijack code’. Another flight attendant who caught the code conveyed it ahead. Unfortunately, the three-member cockpit crew of pilot, co-pilot and the flight engineer abandoned the aircraft, leaving 400 passengers and a 13-member cabin crew in the hands of brutal, thoughtless terrorists. Since Neerja was the cabin crew leader, she took over command. What followed was amazing. Neerja kept the passengers calm. Comforting them, she served coffee and sandwiches and her charming smile eased the tide of fear that had swept across their faces. She realised that the Americans were the main target of the terrorists and in a brilliant move she discreetly collected all the American passports and hid them. There couldn’t have been a better way to confuse the terrorists. The real-life, high-tension drama continued for 17 hours! Suddenly as power began failing and the lights became very dim, terrorists began to fire blindly. Instantly, Neerja dashed to the emergency door and flung it open, letting out a cry "Get out, run!" — the words that will continue to ring in the ears of the survivors. She used all her strength to guide and push people down the chute and while shielding three children, she absorbed the onslaught of bullets into her own body. Weekend Review remarked: "She was brave in life, brave in death. The only stewardess, to have commanded an aircraft and held the hijackers at bay, was an Indian,". Words are not enough to describe the heroic deed performed by Neerja. In her memory, a trust has been set up by her parents with an initial corpus of Rs 36.50 lakh. The trust honours and awards those who reflect the basic features of Neerja’s character: * Do your duty, come what may. * Never tolerate any injustice and never compromise on self-respect. For this, the trust has instituted two annual awards of Rs 1.5 lakh each. The trust honours an airline crew member, on a worldwide basis, who acts beyond the call of duty in a difficult situation. The other award goes to an Indian woman who has been subjected to social injustices, like dowry and desertion, which she overcomes with grit and determination and makes a success of life by helping other women in similar situations. If it hadn’t been for people like Neerja, absolutely selfless and morally strong, this world of war, strife and struggle would have given way under the weight of vices. At present we need more Neerjas to fight injustice and act courageously to make this world a better place to live in. http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99nov13/saturday/head10.htm
Kohum Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 Very Brave indeed ! :isalute: Neeraja Bhanot. Thanks Seedhi.
THX_1138 Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 If you watch the movie 'Executive Decision' starring Kurt Russel, Halle Berry and of course, alpha male Steven Seagal, the screenwriters acknowledged that the story was in part inspired by the hijacking of Pan Am Flight #73. furthermore, there is a scene in the movie where, with the intent to protect the identity and subsequently the lives of the passengers, Halle Berry hid the flight manifest from the hijackers, it now seems that the scene is lifted directly from Ms. Bhanot's act of selfless bravery. As much as i detest chauvinism and jingoism, one cannot be help feel incredible pride in her actions. On that day, she was twice as much more gritty and thrice as much more stern in constitution than any of those *****s with guns.
rahulrulezz Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 wow... Salute to her... An unsung hero.. I iz proud to be an Indian!!!
zubinpepsi Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 wow.. never knew this story.. wat a brave lady.. salute..
THX_1138 Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 wow... Salute to her... An unsung hero.. I iz proud to be an Indian!!! not an unsung hero, but certainly a hero.
THX_1138 Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 Never knew abt the movie connection' date=' thanx[/quote'] you will be surprised how inspiration for numerous figments of fiction arrive from real life events. and on occasion where such inspiration does not exist, a post production viewing reveals striking coincidences. one particular one that might interest you: If you are a Battlestar Galactica Fan, watch Season 1's Episode 6 (or 7): An Act of Contrition. The Climatic dog fight between 8 to 1 outnumbers Starbuck and the Cylon Raiders is erriely similar to that of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, that occured in the skies of Srinagar during the 71 war.
Lurker Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 wow... Salute to her... An unsung hero.. I iz proud to be an Indian!!! Unsung? She was as "sung" as any brave person of 80s. Quite possible you may not have heard of her because of the era. In 80s three of the bravest faces of Indian women were probably Indira, Kiran (Bedi) and Neerja. Indian magazines ran articles on her for ages, and even though history can often cloud recollections there have not been too many women who have looked more gorgeous in sari. Great to hear this mofo getting killed of course. xxx
Lurker Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 you will be surprised how inspiration for numerous figments of fiction arrive from real life events. and on occasion where such inspiration does not exist, a post production viewing reveals striking coincidences. one particular one that might interest you: If you are a Battlestar Galactica Fan, watch Season 1's Episode 6 (or 7): An Act of Contrition. The Climatic dog fight between 8 to 1 outnumbers Starbuck and the Cylon Raiders is erriely similar to that of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, that occured in the skies of Srinagar during the 71 war. F$ck Battle Star Gallatica but :hatsoff::hatsoff::hatsoff: to Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. :hatsoff::hatsoff: Very pleasantly surpised to see he has not been forgotten and you know about him THX. Good on ya.
I_India Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 To be honest the Paki MOFO terrorist lived bit too long. That is assuming it is him who got killed.
Ram Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 Wow, what an outstanding tale of courage! I salute the lady.
rahulrulezz Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 wow... Salute to her... An unsung hero.. I iz proud to be an Indian!!! not an unsung hero' date=' but certainly a hero.[/quote'] Unsung? She was as "sung" as any brave person of 80s. Quite possible you may not have heard of her because of the era. In 80s three of the bravest faces of Indian women were probably Indira, Kiran (Bedi) and Neerja. Indian magazines ran articles on her for ages, and even though history can often cloud recollections there have not been too many women who have looked more gorgeous in sari. Great to hear this mofo getting killed of course. xxx Sorry...I was talking from my prespective.. I was born in 87 so never heard about this incident till yesterday... Sadly no Indian movie or media brought the story of her to the public in 90s or 2000s.. She is certainly a Hero!!
Texy Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 it would be a miracle to see Indian media highlighting such tales of bravery nowadays.. salute Neerja and her parents shekhar Kapur said India is being carried forward by jawan, kisan, mazdoor and I would like to add that there are several pockets of individual bravery like Neerja's in there as welll
ViruRulez Posted January 18, 2010 Posted January 18, 2010 :isalute: Never knew about Neerja before. Brave indeed and good to know that her murderers got killed by the drones
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