An epitome of valour and bravery, an exemplar of humanity and courage, Neerja Bhanot is a pride to our nation and the youngest recipient of Ashok Chakra award. Neerja Bhanot died a heroic death in the year 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. Neerja Bhanot story is an inspiration for many and a story that deserves to be heard. Flight attendant Neerja Bhanot biography is an insight on her personal life, family background and career. The upcoming movie “Neerja” is based on the true story of this brave flight attendant who redefined humanity and courage at a young age.

Neerja Bhanot Family, Age, Wiki

Neerja Bhanot was born to a Punjabi family in Chandigarh. Neerja Bhanot nationality is Indian and Neerja Bhanot date of birth is 7th September in the year 1963 and Neerja Bhanot age was only 22 when she passed away a legendary death. She was born in a mediocre Punjabi family and inherited the principles of life and honesty from her parents.

Neerja Bhanot parents are Rama Bhanot and Mumbai based journalist Harish Bhanot. Harish Bhanot worked with the Hindustan Times for over 30 years. He passed away on January 1st in the year 2008 when he was 86. Neerja Bhanot brothers are Akhil and Aneesh and they are extremely happy with the idea of Neerja Bhanot movie made on the life of their sister whose sacrifice gave a new life to many innocent passengers.

Neerja Bhanot and Akhil Bhanot were not much age apart and Neerja Bhanot and Aneesh Bhanot were also immensely close. The entire family was shaken by Neerja Bhanot death. Neerja Bhanot acquired her education from Chandigarh and Mumbai. Neerja Bhanot education was accomplished from Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School in Chandigarh. She pursued her higher education from Bombay Scottish School and St. Xavier’s college in Mumbai.

Air Hostess Neerja Bhanot Career, Ads, Modeling

Neerja was a bright and beautiful lady in her early twenties. Neerja Bhanot height is about 5 feet 6 inches and she carried a tall and pleasing persona. Apart from being a flight attendant Neerja was also part of a couple of commercials. Neerja Bhanot wiki is not just about her career as a flight attendant but also about Neerja Bhanot ads and Neerja Bhanot TV commercials.

Neerja Bhanot also tried her luck in modeling as she was a part of advertisements for “Godrej Besto Detergent Powder”, “Charmis” beauty product and also for some Saree ads. The pictures of Neerja Bhanot in Saree and Neerja Bhanot photo-shoots are available on many sites. Her bright eyes and a calm and confident face added grace to her profession.

Neerja Bhanot Sacrifice and Plane Hijack Tragedy

Neerja acquired training as a flight attendant from Miami and returned as a purser. She was the senior flight purser on the unfortunate “Pan Am Flight 73“. The flight was hijacked by 4 terrorists after the flight was landed at Karachi at 5 A.M. from Mumbai. The movie “Neerja” is the Pan Am flight 73 hijack documentary and is picturised on Pan Am flight 73 hijacking in 1986 as a tribute to Neerja’s sacrifice and bravery.

The Pan Am flight 73 was supposed to en route to Frankfurt and then to New York City. Bhanot was the senior-most crew member in the flight. The terrorists were heavily armed and part of Abu Nidal organisation who were backed by Libya. Neerja was asked to collect the passports of the passengers so that the terrorists could identify the Americans but Neerja hid the passports of about 19 passengers who were Americans under a seat and the rest under a rubbish chute.

The hijackers started firing and set off explosives after 17 hours. Neerja opened the emergency gate and helped many passengers to escape. The biography of air hostess Neerja Bhanot is all about the courage she showcased by staying in the flight to save the lives while she had the chance to flee easily covering the interesting facts about Neerja Bhanot.

Neerja Bhanot Movie, Death Date

Sonam Kapoor as Neerja Bhanot in the Pan Am flight 73 movie “Neerja” has given a brilliant performance of the brave heart flight attendant. Neerja Bhanot documentary movie is set to release on February 19th, 2016 highlighting Neerja Bhanot life history of the heroine of the hijack. Neerja Bhanot death date is September 5th in the year 1986. Sonam Kapoor has given her best shot in the upcoming documentary movie and has been appreciated by many celebrities and Bollywood stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar and many more.

Neerja Bhanot Marriage, Husband, Divorce

Neerja Bhanot hailed from a simple and respectable mediocre Punjabi family. She completed her education and wanted to start a career. However, Neerja Bhanot got married in the year 1985. Neerja Bhanot wedding was arranged and took place in March in the year 1985. Neerja Bhanot’s husband worked in the Gulf though Neerja Bhanot husband name and profession is not known exactly. The marriage did not last long and Neerja returned to her parents within a year.

Neerja Bhanot divorce reason is believed to be dowry pressure by her husband. Neerja Bhanot split with her husband within 2 months of her marriage did leave her heartbroken but she was a strong lady and decided to stand strong and build a career of her own. Neerja returned to her parents after the bitter end to her marriage and applied for a job of flight attendant with Pam Am. The daughter of Harish Bhanot, Neerja got selected as a flight attendant and went to Miami for her training. She returned as a purser.

Pan Am flight 73 attendant name Neerja Bhanot is today a pride and mark of respect for the nation. Her loyalty towards her duty and sacrifice cannot be described in any prescribed content. The husband of Neerja Bhanot and her love life has never been in the news but it always has been about her selfless acts and outstanding courage that claimed her life.

Neerja Bhanot Awards, Stamp, Chowk

Neerja Bhanot profile is an inspiration and an exemplar of bravery and courage. Her biography and profile is never about Neerja Bhanot model profile and Neerja Bhanot modelling career but it is all focussed about her brave attempt to save innocent lives in a hijacked flight. Neerja Bhanot awards are a mark of tribute to her gesture. Neerja Bhanot bravery award made Neerja the youngest recipient of Ashok chakra award. It is the highest gallantry award given for bravery.

Neerja Bhanot “Ashok Chakra” award is just a small gesture to her priceless sacrifice. In the year 2004, Neerja Bhanot stamp was introduced to commemorate her. Neerja’s brother Aneesh Bhanot flew to Washington DC in the year 2005 to receive the justice for crimes award. Apart from Neerja Bhanot’s awards, Neerja Bhanot Chowk in Mumbai was also built by the Mumbai municipal corporation. The Chowk was inaugurated by Bollywood stalwart Amitabh Bachchan in the year 1990.

Neerja’s parents utilised the insurance money and contribution from Pan Am to set up the Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust. This trust present 2 awards every year including a sum of 1,50,000 INR, a citation and trophy for a flight crew member who acts beyond call of duty and to an Indian woman who has witnessed social injustice like dowry.