Little Known Indians With Extraordinary Deeds

BANGALORE: As quoted by Shiv Khera, a renowned Indian writer, “Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently;” likewise there are many little known personalities in India who exemplified their extraordinary deeds that served the society and are winner in their own areas.

Such people with their unique qualities ultimately lead them to standout among the millions. They often execute their tasks without expecting any limelight.

Let us take a sneak-peak at the names of such outstanding but little known Indians who deserve applauds for their contribution to the society as compiled by IBNLive.

Neerja Bhanot:

The vivacious and valiant senior flight purser of Pan Am, based in Mumbai, Neerja Bhanot inspired the world with self-sacrifice during the Pan Am hijacking (1986) at Karachi.

The flight was heading from Mumbai to New York via Pakistan and Germany. While at Karachi, terrorists came aboard in an attempt to hijack. She let off the plane’s pilots so they could escape. Their quick getaway failed the hijack attempt because the terrorists were stuck on the ground as the flight didn’t take off.

In the final bloodbath at the end of the failed hijacking, Neerja was killed, just 25 hours ahead of her 23rd birthday. Not only had she assured the failure of the hijacking by preventing the plane from getting off the ground, she also saved the lives of hostages in those long hours of captivity.

For her bravery, the Government of India posthumously awarded her the Ashoka Chakra (India's highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy during peace time), which made Bhanot the youngest recipient of this prestigious award in the country. In 2004 the Indian Postal Service released a stamp commemorating her.

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