September 5th, 1986: A national hero died.
February 19th, 2016: Her story was shown to the world.
Yes, I just came back from the theatres, having watched a movie which has impacted me beyond measure. I'm not saying that I'll be saving the world, but my mind is now prepared for that. And that's the first step towards actually becoming Superman.
For those who still haven't guessed, I'm talking about Neerja Bhanot, a mere 22 year old who lost her life after her plane was hijacked. But the story isn't over there. With her great presence of mind, and even more importantly, with her compassion and bravery, she saved three hundred and fifty nine lives.
359. Out of 379, she saved 359 lives.
She didn't think about herself when she opened the emergency door and evacuated the plane. She could've been the first to run out, but like a captain to his ship, the air hostess stayed and ushered people out. And yes, she got shot while protecting three children. And yes, she died.
True to her name, Neerja was like a blossoming lotus. She was in a situation of dirty water, but she was the flower that enhanced the pond. She took charge, and she stood out from the rest.
The reason I'm writing this is not to promote the movie (which is undoubtedly beautiful), but to spread the very reason this film was made: to inspire people. Neerja didn't have any gadgets like Iron Man, or even an Adamantium shield like Captain America. But she did share some of their qualities. She was scared, but despite the circumstances, she felt a moral responsibility to her duty, and a loyalty to her fellow travellers. And that's why today, the Neerja Bhanot Bravery Award is one of the most prestigious awards one can be presented with.
All I'm trying to say, is that we can't be Spiderman, because that's fiction. But we have in us what it takes to be Neerja Bhanot, because she's a reality. Let her story inspire you. It has definitely changed me.
