{{Short description|Indian flight attendant of Pan Am Flight 73 (1963–1986)}} {{About|the person|the 2016 Hindi film|Neerja}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}} {{infobox person | name = Neerja Bhanot | honorific_suffix = AC T.PK | image = Neerja Bhanot 2004 stamp of India.jpg | alt = A 2004 Indian postage stamp depicting the Ashoka Chakra award next to a portrait of a smiling Bhanot | caption = Bhanot depicted on a 2004 Indian postage stamp | birth_date = {{birth date|1963|09|07|df=yes}} | birth_place = Chandigarh, India | death_date = {{death date and age|1986|09|05|1963|09|07|df=yes}} | death_place = Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan | death_cause = Gunshot wound | known_for = Saving passengers on board Pan Am Flight 73 after it was hijacked by the Abu Nidal Organization | other_names = Neerja Mishra | alma_mater = St. Xavier's College | employer = Pan Am | parents = Harish Bhanot {{small|(father)}} <br/> Rama Bhanot {{small|(mother)}} | spouse = {{marriage|Naresh Mishra|1985|1985|reason={{abbr|sep.|separated}}}} | awards = {{unbulletedlist | Ashoka Chakra (1987) | Tamgha-e-Pakistan (1987)}} }}
'''Neerja Bhanot''' (7 September 1963 – 5 September 1986)<ref name="TheTribune">{{cite news |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99nov13/saturday/head10.htm |last=Vij |first=Illa |title=Brave in life, brave in death |work=The Tribune |date=13 November 2000}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/I-saw-Neerja-being-shot-in-the-head/articleshow/51034521.cms|title='I saw Neerja being shot in the head' –Said by Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=3 December 2016}}</ref> was an Indian flight attendant. On 5 September 1986, she saved a large number of passengers on board Pan Am Flight 73, which had been hijacked by four Palestinian terrorists from the Abu Nidal Organization after it made a stopover at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan. Around 17 hours into the standoff, after she opened an emergency exit door and began helping passengers escape from the plane, Neerja was shot and killed by the hijackers. Shortly afterward, Pakistan's Special Service Group stormed the aircraft and captured all of the hijackers.
Posthumously, Bhanot became the first female recipient and, until 2003, the youngest recipient of the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award of India. She also received the Tamgha-e-Pakistan, the 4th highest civilian award of Pakistan, in addition to several accolades from the United States.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35800683|title=Inside a hijack: The unheard stories of the Pan Am 73 crew|last=Mohan|first=Megha|date=31 March 2016|publisher=BBC News|access-date=3 December 2016}}</ref> Her life and humanitarian actions inspired the 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical film ''Neerja'', directed by Ram Madhvani and starring actress Sonam Kapoor.
==Early life and family== Neerja Bhanot was born on 7 September 1963 in Chandigarh, India into a Punjabi Hindu Brahmin family of the Bhanot clan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/609806/the-glamorous-lives-of-80-air-hostesses-in-india/|title=The glamorous lives of '80s air hostesses in India|work=Quartz|date=4 February 2016|access-date=21 March 2016|archive-date=12 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912055519/https://qz.com/609806/the-glamorous-lives-of-80-air-hostesses-in-india/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=12 November 2018|title=Neerja Bhanot- Inspiration Personified|url=https://realbharat.org/neerja-bhanot-inspiration-personified/|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref> She was the daughter of Harish Bhanot, a Bombay-based journalist, and Rama Bhanot. She had two brothers, Akhil and Aneesh Bhanot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/it-is-incredible-how-blessed-this-project-has-been-atul-kasbekar-116030500646_1.html|title=It is incredible how blessed this project has been: Atul Kasbekar|author=Avantika Bhuyan|date=5 March 2016}}</ref> She received her early schooling at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School in Chandigarh. When the family moved to Bombay, she continued her studies at Bombay Scottish School and then graduated from St. Xavier's College, Bombay.<ref name="TheTribune"/> It was in Bombay where she was first spotted for a modeling assignment which began her modeling career.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/the-sky-was-her-limit |title='The Sky Was Her Limit |work=The Indian Express|access-date=23 February 2016}}</ref> She was a huge fan of actor Rajesh Khanna and used to refer to quotes from his films throughout her life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/report/neerja-a-fond-tribute-to-a-forgotten-hero/20160219.htm|title=Neerja: A fond tribute to a forgotten hero|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>
Her father, Harish Bhanot, worked as a journalist with the ''Hindustan Times'' for more than 30 years and died on New Year's Day in 2008 in Chandigarh at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/journalist-former-mc-member-harish-bhanot-passes-away/256740/ |title=Journalist, former MC member Harish Bhanot passes away |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=2 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205091216/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Journalist-former-MC-member-Harish-Bhanot-passes-away/256740/ |archive-date=5 December 2008}}</ref> Her mother died on 5 December 2015 at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/body-donated-to-pgi-ashok-chakra-recipient-neerja-bhanots-mother-dies-at-86/ |title=Body donated to PGI: Ashok Chakra recipient Neerja Bhanot's mother dies at 86 |work=The Indian Express |first1=Jaskiran |last1=Kapoor |date=7 December 2015}}</ref>
==Career== Bhanot applied for a flight attendant job with Pan Am, when in 1985 it decided to have an all Indian cabin crew for its Frankfurt to India routes. Upon selection, she went to Miami, Florida for training as a flight attendant, but returned as a purser.<ref name="TheTribune"/><ref name="travel">[http://www.cntraveller.in/story/the-story-of-indias-bravest-flight-attendant/ The Story of Neerja Bhanot – India’s Flight Attendant – CN Traveller]. Cntraveller.in (18 January 2016). Retrieved on 14 November 2018.</ref>
==Hijacking== [[File:N656PA Boeing 747-121, Miami International, 1983.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The hijacked aircraft seen at Miami International Airport in May 1983]] Bhanot was the Senior Flight Purser on Pan Am Flight 73, a Boeing 747-121 flying from Bombay to New York City via Karachi and Frankfurt. On 5 September 1986, the aircraft was hijacked on the apron at Karachi by four Palestinian terrorists affiliated with the Libya-backed Abu Nidal Organization. The aircraft was carrying 380 passengers and 13 crew members. The hijackers intended to fly to Cyprus to demand the release of Palestinian prisoners.<ref name=":1" />
As the hijackers boarded, Bhanot alerted the cockpit crew. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer subsequently evacuated the aircraft through an overhead hatch, effectively grounding the plane. As the most senior remaining crew member, Bhanot assumed responsibility for the cabin.<ref name="travel"/><ref name="better">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/40218/neerja-bhanot-flight-attendant-hijack-bravery/|title=Neerja Bhanot – The Indian Flight Attendant Who Saved 360 Lives|work=The Better India|author=Kapoor, Vandita |date=19 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="hijack">[http://www.thequint.com/waterqooler/2015/05/05/why-everyone-should-know-hijack-heroine-neerja-bhanots-story Why Everyone Should Know ‘Hijack Heroine’ Neerja Bhanot’s Story]. ''The Quint''</ref>
The hijackers specifically targeted Americans and American assets. Shortly after seizing the aircraft, they identified an Indian-American passenger, dragged him to the exit, fatally shot him, and threw his body from the plane. The hijackers then instructed Bhanot to collect the passports of all passengers to identify the remaining Americans. Bhanot and the cabin crew under her direction hid the passports of the 43 American passengers under seats and down a garbage chute.<ref name="travel"/><ref name="better"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/47090/neerja-bhanot-pan-am-flight-hijack-survivor/|title=MY STORY: I Survived the Pan Am Hijack During Which Neerja Bhanot Lost Her Life|date=22 February 2016|newspaper=The Better India|access-date=3 December 2016}}</ref>
After a 17-hour standoff, the hijackers detonated explosives and opened fire inside the cabin. Bhanot deployed an emergency exit door. Rather than evacuating, she remained on board to assist passengers in escaping. She was fatally shot at close range by the hijackers while assisting passengers down the exit when the leader of the group caught her by her ponytail and shot her point-blank in the head, as noted by a passenger.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/I-saw-Neerja-being-shot-in-the-head/articleshow/51034521.cms|title='I saw Neerja being shot in the head' |website=The Times of India |date=18 February 2016 |access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.oneindia.com/india/who-is-neerja-bhanot-how-pan-am-73-flight-was-hijacked-in-sept-1986-2015608.html|title=Who is Neerja Bhanot & How Pan Am-73 flight was hijacked in Sept 1986?|work=Oneindia|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>
==Legacy== Bhanot was recognized internationally as "the heroine of the hijacking".<ref name="travel"/><ref name="better"/><ref name="hijack"/> The Government of India posthumously awarded her the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. She was the youngest recipient and the first female recipient of this award.<ref name="TheTribune" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Nominations invited for Neerja Bhanot Awards |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=199839 |work=The Indian Express |date=5 September 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205023822/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=199839 |archive-date=5 December 2008 }}</ref><ref>Ambardar, Avani (20 July 2014) [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Neerja-Bhanot-Brave-in-life-brave-in-death/articleshow/38703220.cms Neerja Bhanot: Brave in life, brave in death]. ''The Times of India''.</ref> In 2004, the Indian Postal Service released a commemorative stamp in her honour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stamp on Neerja released |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041009/nation.htm#2 |newspaper=The Tribune |date=9 October 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080104/jsp/nation/story_8741544.jsp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080108115050/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080104/jsp/nation/story_8741544.jsp |url-status= dead |archive-date= 8 January 2008 |last=Jaffry |first=Nasir |title=Pak frees Pan Am hijack quartet |newspaper=The Telegraph|location=India |date=4 January 2008}}</ref>
{{Quote box | quote = Her loyalties to the passengers of the aircraft in distress will forever be a lasting tribute to the finest qualities of the human spirit. |source={{emdash}}Ashoka Chakra citation<ref name="TheTribune"/> | align = right | width = 30em | salign = right |}}
Following her death, her family utilized her insurance proceeds to establish the Neerja Bhanot Trust. The trust presents two annual awards: one to a flight crew member worldwide who acts beyond the call of duty, and the Neerja Bhanot Award to an Indian woman who overcomes social injustice to help other women in distress. The award comprises ₹150,000, a trophy, and a citation.<ref name="travel"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.karmayog.org/ngo/NeerjaTrust/index.asp?r=204 |title=NeerjaTrust – Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust |publisher=Karmayog |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726213907/http://www.karmayog.org/ngo/NeerjaTrust/index.asp?r=204 |archive-date=26 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.business-standard.com/article/press-releases/mumbai-based-chanda-asani-to-get-neerja-bhanot-award-2008-108091601095_1.html |title=Mumbai based Chanda Asani to get Neerja Bhanot Award 2008 |newspaper=Business Standard|location=India |date=16 September 2008 }}</ref>
In 2005, Bhanot was posthumously awarded the "Justice for Crimes Award" by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia; her brother Aneesh received the award on her behalf in Washington, D.C.<ref name="JusticeForCrimesAward">{{cite news |title=America honours Neerja Bhanot |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/America-honours-Neerja-Bhanot/articleshow/1076009.cms |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110811025735/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-04-13/chandigarh/27841726_1_neerja-bhanot-justice-for-crimes-award-aneesh-bhanot |url-status= live |archive-date= 11 August 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=13 April 2005 }}</ref> In 2006, the United States Department of Justice awarded the Special Courage Award to Bhanot, her fellow flight attendants, and Pan Am's flight director for Pakistan.<ref name=ov>{{cite web|url=http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw/2006/2006bios_4.htm |title=Special Courage Awards: Pan Am Flight 73 flight attendants and the Pan Am Director for Pakistan |publisher=United States Department of Justice |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313140442/http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc//ncvrw/2006/2006bios_4.htm |archive-date=13 March 2008 }}</ref>
The Bhanot House at Austrey School is named in her honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.as.edu.pk/information |title=Information – Austrey School |access-date=23 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108200829/http://www.as.edu.pk/information/ |archive-date=8 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ermine.org.uk/schools|title=Ermine Schools – Ermine|access-date=14 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702184234/http://www.ermine.org.uk/schools/|archive-date=2 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 2 July 2016, the Bharat Gaurav Award was conferred on her at the House of Commons, UK Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/neerja-bhanot-conferred-bharat-gaurav-award-in-london-1427538|title=Neerja Bhanot Conferred 'Bharat Gaurav Award' In London|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> In 2018, Punjab University inaugurated the Neerja Bhanot Hostel on its Chandigarh campus, providing accommodation for over 350 female students.<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/31-years-on-panjab-university-to-name-hostel-after-neerja-bhanot/story-y0hFkKeS0HrLo38wFynvbI.html 31 years on, Panjab University to name hostel after Neerja Bhanot]. Hindustan Times, Retrieved 19 August 2017.</ref>
==In popular culture== * ''The Neerja I Knew'', a coffee table book compiled by her brother Aneesh Bhanot, featuring chapters written by her acquaintances.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Book-in-the-memory-of-Neerja-released/articleshow/51032897.cms Book in the memory of Neerja released]. ''Times of India'' (18 February 2016). Retrieved on 14 November 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/the-neerja-i-knew-this-book-is-tribute-to-my-younger-sister-who-showed-true-meaning-of-courage/|title=The Neerja I Knew: 'This book is tribute to my younger sister who showed true meaning of courage'|date=18 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> * ''Neerja'', a 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical film directed by Ram Madhvani and starring Sonam Kapoor as Bhanot. Kapoor received a Special Mention at the National Film Awards for her performance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|title=Neerja: A fond tribute to a forgotten hero|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/neerja-a-fond-tribute-to-a-forgotten-hero/20160219.htm|access-date=22 October 2021|work=Rediff.com}}</ref> * ''The Smile of Courage'', a biographical book authored by her brother Aneesh Bhanot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/1782647/Life+Style-(Chd)/LT-20-August-2018#page/4/2|author=Kaur, Gurnaaz|work=Tribune India|date=20 August 2018|title=A tale of courage}}</ref>
==Awards and honours== * Ashoka Chakra, 1987, India<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithMenuWithTitle.aspx?MnId=Zb02lKANjvkVUclnaE1NSg==&ParentID=xvMfYnM+Kb8YsPT0gtXYmg==|title=Ashoka Chakra recipients (1952–92)|publisher=Indian Army Web Portal|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> * Tamgha-e-Insaaniyat, 1987, Pakistan<ref name="catchnews">{{cite web |url=http://www.catchnews.com/national-news/pakistan-bans-neerja-now-but-why-then-did-they-award-the-pan-am-hero-1455181404.html |title=Pakistan bans Neerja now. But why then did they award the Pan Am hero? |last=Sengupta |first=Durga M |date=11 February 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420181728/http://www.catchnews.com/national-news/pakistan-bans-neerja-now-but-why-then-did-they-award-the-pan-am-hero-1455181404.html |archive-date=20 April 2016 }}</ref> * Flight Safety Foundation Heroism Award, 1987, United States<ref>{{cite news |url=http://flightsafety.org/aviation-awards/archived-aviation-awards/fsf-heroism-award |title=FSF Heroism Award |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |date=2011 |access-date=10 April 2016 }}</ref> * Justice for Crimes Award, 2005, United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, United States<ref name="JusticeForCrimesAward"/> * Special Courage Award, 2006, United States Department of Justice, United States<ref name=ov/> * Civil Aviation Ministry Award, 2011, India<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Centre-honours-Neerja-Bhanot/articleshow/7525691.cms |title=Centre honours Neerja Bhanot |work=The Times of India |date=19 February 2011 |access-date=10 April 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/civil-aviation-ministry-honours-air-hostess-neerja-bhanot-who-was-killed-by-terrorists/752093/ |title=Civil Aviation Ministry honours air hostess Neerja Bhanot who was killed by terrorists |work=The Indian Express|date=19 February 2011 |access-date=10 April 2016 }}</ref> * Bharat Gaurav Award, 2016, House of Commons, UK Parliament<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/neerja-bhanot-conferred-bharat-gaurav-award-in-london-1427538 |title=Neerja Bhanot Conferred 'Bharat Gaurav Award' In London |date=3 July 2016 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=4 September 2018 }}</ref>
==Personal life== In 1985, Bhanot had an arranged marriage with Naresh Mishra, a Qatari businessman. The couple separated shortly thereafter due to reported marital abuse.<ref>https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/chandigarh/when-neerja-s-husband-told-her-if-you-can-t-cook-stop-eating-647498/</ref><ref>https://buzz.iloveindia.com/the-life-story-of-neerja-bhanot-from-a-bitter-marriage-to-the-hijacked-pan-am-73-flight.html</ref> At the time of her death, she was in a relationship with a man named Jaideep.<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/shekhar-ravjiani-to-play-neerja-bhanots-lover/articleshow/47330910.cms</ref><ref>https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-was-a-rookie-on-the-set-of-neerja-but-sonam-made-me-comfortable-12821.html</ref>
== See also == *Frankie Housley *Barbara Jane Harrison
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==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{cite news |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040509/main2.htm |last=Chhibber |first=Maneesh |title=Neerja's killer may get 160 years in prison |work=The Tribune |date=8 May 2004}} – account of the trial of Zaid Hassan Abd Latif Safarini *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160226094452/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/25-Feb-2016/a-pan-am-73-survivor-describes-how-neerja-bhanot-was-shot-in-real Survivor describes Pan Am 73] *[https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/neerja-bhanot-338412-2016-09-05 Facts about Pam Am 73] *[http://www.mensxp.com/special-features/today/29128-the-story-of-neerja-bhanot-the-girl-who-punched-terrorism-in-the-face-and-became-a-hero-india-would-never-forget.html The full story of Neeja Bhanot] *[http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/1782647/Life+Style-(Chd)/LT-20-August-2018#page/4/2 Neerja Bhanot. The Smile of Courage.]
{{Ashoka Chakra award recipients}} {{portal bar|Biography|India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhanot, Neerja}} Category:1963 births Category:1986 deaths Category:Deaths by firearm in Sindh Category:Flight attendants Category:Terrorism victims in India Category:Mass murder victims Category:1986 murders in Pakistan Category:Pan Am people Category:People from Chandigarh Category:Punjabi Brahmins Category:Female models from Chandigarh Category:St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, alumni Category:Terrorism deaths in Pakistan Category:20th-century Indian women Category:20th-century Indian people Category:Recipients of the Ashoka Chakra (military decoration) Category:Ashoka Chakra Category:Indian people murdered abroad Category:Foreign recipients of the Nishan-e-Pakistan Category:People murdered in Karachi