A brave soul meets a tragic death, these facts about Neerja Bhanot will leave you in tears

Neerja Bhanot – ‘The Heroine of Hijack’

Neerja Bhanot's story is something that could not be overlooked. We hardly come across such people who willing sacrifice their to save someone else's life and Neerja was one such brave soul who made sure that no one is harmed on the hijacked plane. Even if that means sacrificing her life. Nothing can weight her sacrifice but an award in her honour is what she deserves. Neerja, became the first female recipient and probably the youngest one to receive Ashoka Chakra Award. She was then felicitated with the title 'The Heroine of Hijack.'

Saving life of three kids costs Neerja her life!

After keeping the passengers captive for almost 17 hours, the four armed men starting firing and set off the explosives. This is when Neerja opened the emergency exit for the passengers to escape. But, three kids who became the vulnerable targets of the hijackers couldn't flee and Neerja became their saviour. She was protecting the little wonders when she was shot with multiple bullets. Though she succumbed to the injuries the life of the kids was saved. A heroic moment to be proud of, indeed!

Neerja Bhanot – Dies just two days before birthday!

It is saddening to know that Neerja lost her life just two days before her birthday. She was born on September 7, 1963 in Chandigarh. The harrowing incident of the plane getting hijacked and Neerja Bhanot being killed took place on September 5, 1986. This ill-fated day wouldn't have arrived, Neerja would be happily celebrating her 24th Birthday with her family that year.

Neerja Bhanot’s strategy to hide the passport!

When the hijackers asked to collect everyone's passport, Neerja, was smart enough to understand the hijackers motto, to harm the Americans on the flight. The hijackers represented Abu Nidal Organization and their prime target were the Americans travelling to New York. Knowing this, Neerja along with her team, smartly managed to hide the passports of the 41 Americans on board. She either hid them under the seats and some she trashed into the rubbish chute. If it wouldn't have been Neerja's idea to hid the passports, those 41 American passengers were bound to lose their lives.

Neerja Bhanot – Had a chance to escape?

On 5th of September, Neerja Bhanot, took up the charge to head the cabin crew team of Pan Am Flight 73. Little did she know that it would be her last flight. Being a connecting flight from Mumbai to New York, the flight came to a halt in Karachi. That's when the hijackers dressed as security personnel barged into the flight with guns and grenades. Being alert, Neerja first informed the pilots about this and pilots being smart enough fled from the overhead exit in the cockpit. Neerja had an option then. She could have easily escaped and saved her life but, she chose not too. Life of the passengers was her priority so she stayed back to save the life of hundreds. Later, when she opened the emergency door when the hijackers started firing, she had a chance to escape from that emergency door. But, no! Her courage soul refrained from leaving so many people to die. She sacrificed her life but she saved almost everyone on board.