Neerja Bhanot

Justice for Rectitude

This is the Heroine of the Highjack; Neerja Bhanotpinterest.co.uk 

A hero is someone who deserves the honor and respect that doesn’t get portrayed until society itself recognizes their impact in life. A hero could be found in many places whether they are in the air or on the ground. One doesn’t need to have a specific location in order to demonstrate one’s heroic capabilities. For instance, Neerja Bhanot was a hero in the air.Neerja Bhanot, 22 year old flight attendant who gave up her life while saving the lives of passengers on board the Pan Am Flight 73, on September 5th, 1986.  On that day, 4 terrorists dressed like airport security hijacked the flight, Neerja allegedly was the head purser of that fight. A hero must possess selflessness and bravery. Selflessness is a trait that shows that one is concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own and bravery is a trait where one has the courage to stand up for what’s right. Neerja Bhanot portrayed her selflessness and bravery in a 1986 Pan am hijack which defines her as a hero.

Neerj used this same booth to alet the pilots and do her daily flight annoncements topyaps.comNeerja demonstrated a selflessness character using her actions in making sure that no harm came to her passengers. “Soon after terrorists took over the aircraft, Neerja alerted the cockpit crew and the pilot, co-pilot and the flight engineer escaped using an overhead hatch. Mind you, this is standard procedure and the crew was merely following emergency protocols. No pilots meant that the aircraft couldn’t fly (unless, of course, someone among the terrorists knew how to do it). But none of this could have been possible if Neerja hadn’t had the presence of mind to raise an alarm.” (Merala. 3) Neerja is selfless because she could have escaped with the other staff members, but she stayed and fought against the terrorists even when there was a high chance of death. She warned the pilots that the flight was being hijacked because she knew that if the pilots were on board then the hijackers could use them to reach their goal which was to release the other terrorists from jail. Neerja didn’t even take a moment to consider the benefits or risks she was going to face, the passengers’ lives were more valuable to her. Neerja, as the head pursuer of flight had the responsibility of bringing comfort to the passengers, however what she did was more than required. “1986 while saving passengers from a group of terrorists in a hijacked plane. She sacrificed her life to rescue the passengers in a flight and her contribution to humanity is priceless and deeply revered.” (Youth Developers.1) Neerja took up the responsibility of taking care of her passengers not only did she pursue her job she also went above and beyond in making sure that her passengers we all safe. Neerja’s first priority was to have all of her passengers safe rather than herself because her speculation was to focus on her preferred goal. Neerja takes up the trait of selflessness, therefore concludes her as a deserving hero who died due to public service.

This is the flight that Neerja displayed her heriosmthebetterindia.com 

Neerja Bhanot demonstrated many acts of bravery that inspired many people. For instance, she showed an act of bravery facing the Abu Nidal terrorists in order to ensure her passengers safety. “One of the first things they ordered Bhanot and the crew to do was to collect the passports of all the passengers on board. Bhanot, along with her other crew members, hid the passports of 41 American citizens under a seat and in a rubbish chute. This was crucial because it prevented the hijackers from identifying American citizens and using them as bait.”(Merala.11) Neerja was brave because she took a risk in hiding American passports under the seats and if she got caught then the terrorists wouldn’t spare her because she was coming in the way of their goal. She showed bravery also because the Americans weren’t any benefit to her yet she still took a risk and she demonstrated bravery when it came to the point of where someone could loose their life due to the terrorists selfish act. Neerja demonstrated bravery the moment the terrorists arrived on board. “When the armed terrorists barged into the plane, the young woman displayed great presence of mind in alerting the cockpit crew who managed to escape.” (The Famous People.3) She warned the pilots that the flight was being hijacked because she knew that if the pilots were on board then the hijackers could use them to reach their goal. Neerja used the power of bravery to conquer the armed terrorists, even though she had no weapons she used her most powerful tool to defeat her enemies. Neerja faced many situations where her bravery dominated against the terrorists, which eventually led to a accomplished victory for all the lives who were saved and the justice for Neerja.

The real Neerja is on the left and the actor who displayed what Neerja expierenced during the hijackawesomemachi.com 

 Neerja Bhanot portrayed her selflessness and bravery in a 1986 Pan Am hijack which defines her as a hero. “The minute Neerja’s worst fears were confirmed, she proceeded to alert the cockpit crew after the terrorists boarded the plane. But as per their training, the three-member American cockpit crew of pilot, co-pilot and the flight engineer evacuated the aircraft through an overhead hatch in the cockpit to prevent it from being forcibly flown. Neerja, being the senior-most crew member on board, had no choice but to take charge and inform the hijackers that she was in command now. Neerja knew that once the pilot is gone she would be in charge not the hijackers.” (Nash. 7) The hijackers are doing their job just like she was there to do her job. Her job was to face the hijackers so she could protect and make her passengers as comfortable as possible . “Neerja maintained her cool, comforting the passengers on board, especially the elderly and the children. She continued to smile and look after the passengers, despite the circumstances and the growing tension on board.” (Nash.7) Neerja maintained her cool, comforting the passengers on board, especially the elderly and the children. She continued to smile and look after the passengers, despite the circumstances and the growing tension on board.“The ‘Heroine of the Hijack’, Neerja Bhanot, committed an act of courage and compassion even though she had the opportunity to escape through the emergency exit first. But she chose her duty over her life.” (Nash.15) Neerja continues to do her job even when the point of situation was highly risky, but that didn’t stop her, it didn’t make a difference to her motive, which was to save most of her passengers’ lives. “ She became a martyr before medical assistance could help her survive. She put her own life at stake to protect the innocents on board. Neerja Bhanot was more than just a flight purser; she was the hero we never knew we needed.” (Nash. 15) Neerja has all the qualities of a real hero and is a true heroine for the future generations. As a result, Neerja Bhanot is a deserving hero that needs to be recognized for her bravery and her selflessness which impacted the outcome of the 1986 Pan Am hijack.

ago, Nicole Nash 2 years. “The True Story Of Neerja Bhanot, The Brave-Heart Who Saved Many Lives On Pan Am 73.” Limitless, Nicole Nash, 22 Jan. 2016, lmt-lss.com/neerja-bhanot-story/.        

Merala, Dilip. “This Is Neerja Bhanot and Here Is Why Her Story Matters!” Travel India, India WebPortal Private Limited, 18 Feb. 2016,

           www.india.com/travel/articles/this-is-neerja-bhanot-and-here-is-why-her-story-matters/.                      

mocomi.com. “Story of Neerja Bhanot - Short Biography for Kids | Mocomi.” Mocomi Kids, Mocomi.com, 9 Mar. 2016, mocomi.com/neerja-bhanot/.

The Famous People, The Famous People. “Who Is Neerja Bhanot? Everything You Need to Know.” Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/neerja-bhanot-7026.php.  

Youth Developers.com. “Flight Attendant Neerja Bhanot Biography, Real Life Story, Marriage, Husband, Divorce, Death.” Youth Developers, 2013, youthdevelopers.com/flight-attendant-neerja-bhanot-biography-real-life-story-marriage-husband-porce-death/.