unit 2 Prose - A Story of Self Sacrifice and Bravery

     

2 Prose - A Story of Self Sacrifice and Bravery

Section I

Discuss and Answer.

1.How did Neerja save the Americans?

Neerja  collected the passports and managed to hide their passports and discard them down the rubbish chute. Neerja saved  39 American passengers out of 41.

2. Why did Neerja alert the pilots?

Neerja alerted the pilots to escape because the terrorists would not be able to to fly the plane to the their desired location.

3. What happened when the terrorists lost their patience?

When the terrorists lost their patience they opened fire on the passengers.

Section II

 

Discuss and Answer

1.Name the schools and colleges Neerja studied in.

Neerja studied in Sacred Heart School till 6th standard in Chandigarh. Then she studied in Bombay Scottish School and graduated from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai.

2. Why was Neerja sent to London?

She was sent to London to get trained to be a purser – the senior most cabin manager.

4.What is the duty of a purser?

Pursers are managers on flights, handling passenger complaints, making announcements and handling security.

Section III

Discuss and Answer.

1. Why was Neerja awarded the Ashok Chakra?

Neerja was awarded the Ashok Chakra for bravery in peacetime

2. How was Neerja honoured by various governments?

Neerja’s act of bravery was honoured and rewarded by the Indian, Pakistan and American governments.

3. What are the selection criteria for the Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Award?

Two awards are given in the name of Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Award every year. One is to honour a flight crew member, worldwide, who acts beyond the call of duty and another to an Indian woman who overcomes social injustice and helps other women in similar social distress.

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. The terrorists asked Neerja to collect the passports of the passengers because they were targeting  the Americans.

2. Neerja passed on the warning in a code to the pilots because she alerted them to escape.

3. Neerja leapt into action when she realized the danger.

4. Neerja had a sour marriage due to dowry demand.

5. Neerja was sent to London based on performance and peer review.

B. Think and Write

1. “I will die; but not run away.” – Justify the saying of Neerja.

 The words of Neerja Bhanot were true, because she had the chances of escaping from the danger. But she was there helping the passengers bravely.

2. Why did the governments of India, America and Pakistan honour Neerja?

So the Indian government honoured her as she was a brave Indian woman. So the Pakistan Government honoured her because the hijack happened in Pakistan. Americans  were saved from the terrorists. So the government of America honoured her.

3. If you are a flight attendant how will you deal with the hijackers?

If I were a flight attendant I will also act like Neerja Bhanot like alerting the pilots, and saving them bravely. I take her as my role model.

C. Read the “Story of Self Sacrifice and Bravery” once again and complete the flow chart.

 

                                                                                           Neerja – The Hijack Heroine

 

                                                           Life                                                                              Achievement

 

Neerja – The Hijack Heroine

1. Hijack of Pan Am Flight 73
• Four armed terrorists hijacked the flight at Karachi airport.
• Passengers from multiple nationalities were on board.
2. Neerja’s Quick Thinking
• She hid the passports of American passengers to protect them.
• She secretly alerted the pilots, leading them to escape.
3. Terrorists Lose Control
• Seventeen hours into the hijack, the plane lost power.
• The terrorists started firing indiscriminately at passengers.
4. Neerja’s Ultimate Sacrifice
• She helped passengers evacuate instead of escaping herself.
• She was shot while saving three children but ensured their safety.

Neerja’s bravery saved hundreds of lives, and she was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, making her the youngest recipient of the honor.

D. Write a summary based on the flow chart.

Summary: Neerja – The Hijack Heroine

On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked by four armed terrorists at Karachi airport. The flight had passengers from multiple nationalities, with Americans being the primary targets.

Displaying remarkable presence of mind, Neerja Bhanot, the senior flight purser, hid the passports of American passengers to protect them. She also managed to alert the pilots, allowing them to escape and preventing the terrorists from flying the plane.

After 17 hours, the plane lost power, and the terrorists began firing at the passengers. Amidst the chaos, Neerja selflessly helped passengers evacuate. As she was about to escape herself, she noticed three children still inside and went back to save them. Tragically, she was shot while ensuring their safety and later succumbed to her injuries.

Her extraordinary bravery saved hundreds of lives, and she was posthumously honored with the Ashok Chakra, becoming the youngest recipient of India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

 

Airline Vocabulary

E. Fill in the blanks with appropriate airline vocabulary given in the box.

cockpit	touch down	call light	gate	turbulence
bumpy	take off	Landing	boarding pass	run way

 

1. You must present the boarding pass at the gate.

2. It might be a bumpy ride because we are flying through a storm.

3. If you need anything just press the call light.

4. The captain and the co-pilot sit in the cockpit.

5. Gate 3B is down this hall and to your right.

6. We will be touching down in Chennai in approximately ten minutes.

7. The plane almost missed the runway because it was such a bad storm.

8. We are next in line to take off on this runway.

9. That was a very smooth landing.

10. This turbulence should only last a few minutes.

Phrasal Verb

F. Match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meaning in Column B.

A	B
fight or flight	escaping as rapidly as possible
put to flight	among the best of a particular group
take flight	to defend oneself or to run away
flight of fancy	to cause someone to flee
have a nice flight	to flee or run away
in full flight	an imaginative but unrealistic idea
top-flight	enjoy your flight

Fight or flight → to defend oneself or to run away

Put to flight → to cause someone to flee

Take flight → to flee or run away

Flight of fancy → an imaginative but unrealistic idea

Have a nice flight → enjoy your flight

In full flight → escaping as rapidly as possible

Top-flight → among the best of a particular group

 

G. Find out the anagrams. Use each pair of phrases as clues.

1. The past tense of leap leapt Something to serve food on plate

2. A place to grow flowers Garden –  Something to be careful of Danger

3. Another word for under Below   A part of your arm Elbow

4. Try to hear Listen Another word for quiet– Silent

5. Another word for gift Present A large snake or a dragon Serpent

6. Minutes and hours Time  A thing on a list – Item

7. An organ that pumps blood Heart The planet we live on – Earth

8. Something used to water plants - Hose –A thing you put on your foot Shoe

LISTENING

H. Listen to the announcements and answer the questions.

Announcement 1

Pre-boarding Announcement

Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to Rome. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you.

1. What is the number of the flight?  89B

2. What are the things to be kept ready?   boarding pass and identification

3. When will the regular boarding begin?  approximately ten minutes.

Announcement 2

Final Boarding Announcement

This is the final boarding call for passengers Alex and Ruskin Collins booked on flight 372A to New Delhi. Please proceed to gate 3 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five minutes. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Alex and Ruskin. Thank you.

1. For whom is the final boarding call? passengers

2. Where should the passengers proceed? to gate 3

3. Where is the flight to?  Delhi

Announcement 3

Pre-flight Announcement

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from Chennai to San Francisco. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes. We ask that you please fasten your seat belts and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Indian Airlines. Enjoy your flight.

1. When will the flight be in the air?  In seven minutes

2. What are things that should be turned off? all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones

3. What is prohibited during the flight? Smoking

I. Read the story board and take roles as pilot and flight attendants to enact the scene.

Inflight Passenger Announcements :

 

J. Imagine that you are going to interview one of the survivors of the Pan Am Hijack. Discuss with your partner and write down the conversation. Then one of you play the role of the interviewer and other the survivor. You can use the sample questions given below.

1. Do you have any information regarding the suspects of the hijack?

2. Which countries did the hijackers belong?

3. What are the details of the hijacked flight?

4. How many passengers were aboard?

5. What happened in the last few minutes of the hijack drama?

6. Do you have information regarding the victims?

7. Was there any recorded communication to/from the plane during the hijacking?

8. How many terrorists were there?

9. How did you feel when you were in the flight?

10. Can you recall Neerja’s role in safeguarding the passengers?

Interviewer: Good evening, and thank you for joining us today. We truly appreciate you sharing your experience with us. To start, do you have any information regarding the suspects of the hijack?

Survivor: Yes, the hijackers were members of the Abu Nidal Organization, a terrorist group. They planned to use the plane for their political motives.

Interviewer: That’s terrifying. Which countries did the hijackers belong to?

Survivor: They were from Palestine and Libya. Their goal was to target American citizens, especially those with U.S. passports.

Interviewer: Can you tell us more about the hijacked flight?

Survivor: It was Pan Am Flight 73, which was flying from Mumbai to New York with scheduled stops in Karachi and Frankfurt. The plane was hijacked while it was on the ground in Karachi.

Interviewer: How many passengers were aboard the flight at that time?

Survivor: There were around 379 passengers and crew members on board when the hijackers took control.

Interviewer: That’s a large number of people in danger. What happened in the last few minutes of the hijack drama?

Survivor: The situation turned chaotic when the terrorists started firing randomly. The lights in the aircraft went out, and passengers tried to escape. Many were injured, and tragically, some lost their lives.

Interviewer: That’s heartbreaking. Do you have any information regarding the victims?

Survivor: Sadly, 20 people lost their lives, and over 100 were injured. Many of them were shot at close range. The terrorists were ruthless.

Interviewer: Was there any recorded communication to or from the plane during the hijacking?

Survivor: Yes, the terrorists communicated with the airport authorities, making their demands. However, the crew managed to send emergency signals, which helped authorities understand the gravity of the situation.

Interviewer: How many terrorists were involved in the hijacking?

Survivor: There were four terrorists, heavily armed and extremely aggressive.

Interviewer: I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been. How did you feel when you were in the flight?

Survivor: It was the scariest moment of my life. I thought I wouldn’t make it out alive. Everyone was praying and hoping for a miracle.

Interviewer: Speaking of miracles, can you recall Neerja Bhanot’s role in safeguarding the passengers?

Survivor: Neerja was truly a hero. She stayed calm throughout and helped hide the American passports to protect passengers. She also opened the emergency exit and guided many people to safety. Sadly, she was shot while protecting three children. Her bravery saved countless lives.

Interviewer: Neerja’s courage is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Your story reminds us of the sacrifices made that day.

 

 

L. Discuss with your partner and punctuate the following.

1. the woman said to the student please help me cross the street

2. sarathy said oh how thrilling it was

3. the teacher said to the students where do you want to go

4. i am tired mohana said to her aunt

5. shankar said to his teacher madam i had prepared my project assignment but i forgot to bring it

 

1.The woman said to the student, "Please help me cross the street."

 2.Sarathy said, "Oh! How thrilling it was!"

 3.The teacher said to the students, "Where do you want to go?"

4."I am tired," Mohana said to her aunt.

5.Shankar said to his teacher, "Madam, I had prepared my project assignment, but I forgot to bring it."

 

M. Complete the sentences in reported speech.

Example: I admire you. She said that she admired me.

1. “It is too late.” I said that it ............. too late.

2. “I met you yesterday.” Sam told me that he had met me...........................

3. “I cannot come.” Mala said that ...............................................

4. “I will pay tomorrow.” He said that he would pay ......................................

5. “The Himalayas are the highest mountain ranges.” He knew that the Himalayas ................ the highest mountain ranges.

6. “I may lend you some money.” Balu promised .......................some money.

7. “I have been watching a film.” He said that ................................. a film.

8. “I have not done it today.” I explained that I had not done it ....................

9. “I was with him last week.” Jimmy told that ................................ with him the previous week.

10. “I will finish this picture tomorrow.” Jothi said that......................... picture the next day.

"It is too late." → I said that it was too late.

 "I met you yesterday." → Sam told me that he had met me the day before.

 "I cannot come." → Mala said that she could not come.

 "I will pay tomorrow." → He said that he would pay the next day.

 "The Himalayas are the highest mountain ranges." → He knew that the Himalayas were the highest mountain ranges.

 "I may lend you some money." → Balu promised to lend me some money.

 "I have been watching a film." → He said that he had been watching a film.

 "I have not done it today."    → I explained that I had not done it that day.

 "I was with him last week."   → Jimmy told that he had been with him the previous week.

 "I will finish this picture tomorrow." → Jothi said that she would finish the picture the next day.

N. Read the following dialogue and report it.

Betty : What are you doing here, Kitty? I haven’t seen you since June.

Kitty : I’ve just come back from my holiday in Darjeeling.

Betty : Did you enjoy it?

Kitty : Yes, I enjoyed I love Darjeeling. The landscape is amazing.

Betty : Did you go to the Lloyd’s Botanical Garden?

Kitty : Yes. It was my first trip. I can show you some pictures. Are you doing any thing tomorrow?

Betty : I must arrange a couple of things. But I am free tonight.

Kitty : You may come to my place. What time shall we meet?

Betty : I’ll be there at eight. Is it all right?

Betty asked Kitty ..................................................................... And she added .............................................. since June. Kitty explained that ......................................................... back from her holiday in Darjeeling. Betty asked if .............................................................. it. Kitty told her that she ........................... Darjeeling and that the landscape ............................... Betty wanted to know ................................................................. to the Lloyd’s Botanical Garden. Kitty said that it ........................ first trip and that she ........................................ some pictures. And then she asked her if she ............................................................................. Betty explained that she ........................................ a couple of things. But she added that she .............. free that night. Kitty suggested that she ........................................... place and asked her at what time ................................. Betty said she ................................. there at eight. And finally, she asked .................................... all right.

Betty asked Kitty what she was doing there and she added that she hadn’t seen her since June. Kitty explained that she had just come back from her holiday in Darjeeling. Betty asked if she had enjoyed it. Kitty told her that she had enjoyed it, and that she loved Darjeeling and that the landscape was amazing. Betty wanted to know if she had gone to Lloyd’s Botanical Garden. Kitty said that it was her first trip and that she could show her some pictures. And then she asked her if she was doing anything the next day. Betty explained that she had to arrange a couple of things, but she added that she was free that night. Kitty suggested that she could come to her place and asked her what time they should meet. Betty said she would be there at eight and finally asked if that was all right.

O. Read the story of Neerja Bhanot. Make notes based on the table and complete it. Category

 

Name	Neerja Bhanot

 

Father’s Name & Occupation

Harish Bhanot, Journalist

 

Mother’s Name & Occupation

Rama Bhanot, Homemaker

 

Born on

7 September 1963

 

Nationality

Indian

 

State

Punjab

 

City	Chandigarh (later moved to Mumbai)

 

Education

School: Sacred Heart School, Chandigarh; Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai

 

College: St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai

 

Career

: Model and Senior Flight Purser at Pan Am Airlines

 

Personal Life

: Married in 1985, left husband due to dowry demands

 

Siblings

: Two elder brothers – Akhil and Aneesh

 

Achievements:

Saved 359 passengers during the Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking, sacrificed her life protecting others

 

Awards

Ashok Chakra (India’s highest peacetime bravery award, youngest recipient), Tamgha-e-Insaniyat (Pakistan), Justice for Crimes Award (USA)

 

Legacy

A postage stamp was issued in her honor (2004), a square in Mumbai was named after her, Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust was established to honor courageous individuals and women overcoming social injustice

 

Died on

5 September 1986

 

Place of Death

Karachi, Pakistan (Pan Am Flight 73 Hijack)

 

P. “Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” Write an anecdote on the extraordinary deed of Jaiswal K.P. who helped in the recent Kerala Flood. Use the tips given in the box.

In August 2018, Kerala faced devastating floods, displacing thousands and submerging vast areas. Amidst this catastrophe, 32-year-old fisherman Jaisal K.P. from Tanur, Malappuram, emerged as an unexpected hero.

On a particularly challenging day, Jaisal and his team were assisting the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Vengara's Muthalamada area. They encountered three stranded women, one holding an infant, struggling to board an inflatable rescue boat due to the rising waters. Recognizing their plight, Jaisal, without hesitation, knelt in the waist-deep floodwater, offering his back as a step. This selfless act allowed the women to safely climb into the boat, ensuring their immediate safety.

This spontaneous gesture was captured on video and quickly spread across social media platforms, touching the hearts of many. Jaisal's humility and dedication shone brightly during a time of widespread despair. Reflecting on his actions, he remarked, "We have been doing this voluntarily to make sure that no one is left without help. We are risking our lives for the rescue of the people."

Jaisal's commitment extended beyond this single act. Throughout the flood crisis, he and his team rescued over 250 individuals and recovered 10 bodies, showcasing unwavering dedication to their community.

In recognition of his bravery and selflessness, Jaisal was honored with a brand-new vehicle, symbolizing the gratitude of those he helped and the broader community.

Jaisal K.P.'s actions during the Kerala floods exemplify how ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary deeds, offering hope and humanity in the face of adversity.