Mumbai: Once again, the national hero Neerja Bhanot won well-deserved recognition for her courage and bravery with the release of the movie titled “Neerja”, starring Sonam Kapoor in a title role. The makers of the biographical film, unveiled the citation of her Ashol Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, on the micro-blogging site Twitter. She was the youngest person and the first civilian to be bestowed with the Ashok Chakra. While saving the lives of passengers on the ill-fated Pan Am flight, the young flight attendant lost her life.
The citation reads: “Showing tremendous presence of mind and quick reflexes, it was her instant shout of ‘Hijack,’ which alerted the flight crew, who immediately escaped, thereby immobilising the craft. With the exit of the flight crew, she took command of the situation and kept the terrified passengers calm. She deftly managed the situation and prevented the trigger-happy hijackers from going berserk.
Her loyalties to the passengers of the aircraft in distress will forever be a lasting tribute to the lasting qualities of human spirit. She thus displayed the most conspicuous bravery in the face of grave adversities and tried to save the life of passengers at the cost of her own life.”
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