Neerja Bhanot was the first civilian and the youngest person to receive the Ashok Chakra

  

The citation of her Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, has now been made available online which details the heroic exploits of the 23-year-old stewardess who was killed while saving the lives of passengers during the 1986 hijacking of a Pan Am flight

 

The citation says: "Showing tremendous presence of mind and quick reflexes, it was her instant shout of 'Hijack,' which alerted the flight crew, who immediately escaped, thereby immobilising the craft. With the exit of the flight crew, she took command of the situation and kept the terrified passengers calm. She deftly managed the situation and prevented the trigger-happy hijackers from going berserk.

Her loyalties to the passengers of the aircraft in distress will forever be a lasting tribute to the lasting qualities of human spirit. She thus displayed the most conspicuous bravery in the face of grave adversities and tried to save the life of passengers at the cost of her own life."

Released by Fox Star Studios, producers of Neerja, the citation describes Neerja's gallantry and her courage under fire. Neerja was the first civilian and the youngest person to be bestowed with the Ashok Chakra. 

The valiant national hero, who saved 359 lives, helped evacuate everyone on board but was shot while leading a group of children to safety.