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
- Hijack
of Pan Am Flight 73
- Four
armed terrorists hijacked the flight at Karachi airport.
- Passengers
from multiple nationalities were on board.
- Neerja’s
Quick Thinking
- She
hid the passports of American passengers to protect them.
- She
secretly alerted the pilots, leading them to escape.
- Terrorists
Lose Control
- Seventeen
hours into the hijack, the plane lost power.
- The
terrorists started firing indiscriminately at passengers.
- 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.
