The Unflinching soul of Neerja Bhanot moved the people, the guiding light for many has left a void that can never be filled. The youngest recipient of India's highest peace time award for bravery, the Ashok Chakra, Neerja Bhanot's life was cut short cruelly on  September 5, in the year 1986, aged 22. Just two days after her loss, 7th September was her birthday but who knew that day she wouldn't return home alive! 

Neerja left an imprint in our hearts when she bravely chose to be killed by hijackers aboard the Pan Am Flight 73, while saving the lives of the on -board passengers. Hijacked by the four arms of the Abu Nidal Organization the aircraft had 360 passengers and 20 of them from India, Pakistan, U.S and Mexico were killed.

Neerja Bhanot laid down her life protecting three children from the bullets fired down by the terrorists. She could have escaped the flight but decided not to! It was her immense strength that saved the life of those people.  To honour her bravery, the Indian Postal Service released a stamp commemorating her. 

From a daughter and a sister to reaching out millions of people out there all it just took was her bravery to save the people. Yes she exists in all our hearts. The Voice of Neerja, her Unflinching Spirit is still alive and inspires us to be selfless. Yes  we all are brave like her the moment we want to !

On occasion of the Braveheart's Birthday let's remember her and honour her in our hearts!