Inspired by Tragedy: How IC 814 Hijack Led Survivor’s Daughter to Pursue a Piloting Career
Inspired by Tragedy: How IC 814 Hijack Led Survivor's Daughter to Pursue a Piloting Career
Anubhav Sinha’s new series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which dramatizes the infamous 1999 hijacking of an Air India flight, has sparked considerable debate over its accuracy. While some critics argue that the show distorts facts, a more personal story has emerged from the shadows of this tragic event, drawing attention to the real-life impact on those affected.
Shivangi Menon, whose parents Bipin and his wife were passengers on the hijacked flight, is now training to become a pilot with Air India Express. Although Shivangi was not on the ill-fated flight herself, her parents’ harrowing experience left a lasting impression on her.
Bipin Menon, who now works at SEZ Noida, recalls the tense moments at Kathmandu airport. “The flight was delayed, and while we were waiting in the lounge, we noticed the hijackers watching us. It made us uneasy, but we didn’t think much of it at the time. I even asked one of them, who later identified himself as ‘Burger,’ about the flight’s status,” he recounts.
Years later, Shivangi began to take an active interest in the hijacking after overhearing her parents discuss the incident when she was around five years old. Her curiosity grew as she got older, leading her to research the event extensively. By the time she was in Class 11, her fascination with aviation was firmly established, and she declared her intention to pursue a career as a pilot.
Reflecting on the impact of the hijack, Shivangi describes it as a pivotal moment for Indian aviation. “The IC 814 hijack was a turning point for aviation security in India. As I grew older, I delved into research and watched a National Geographic documentary featuring footage of my parents. This fueled my desire to understand and handle such situations,” she told News18.
Despite the challenges posed by the profession, Bipin is fully supportive of his daughter’s ambitions. “I’m proud that Shivangi is choosing a path where women are underrepresented. Today’s aviation sector is equipped with rigorous anti-hijack procedures, which reassures me,” he said.
As Shivangi completes her training and prepares to take to the skies, her story highlights how personal experiences with tragedy can inspire a new generation to confront and manage such challenges.
