In the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Captain Ravi Dharanidhirka rescued 157 frightened people from the burning Taj Hotel. The bravery and strategy of the US Marines made 26/11 the most unique act of heroism in history.
26/11 Mumbai Attack Hero: On the night of 26 November 2008, there was a period of terror in Mumbai which shook the entire country. Ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked 12 different places in the city. 159 people were killed and more than 200 were seriously injured in this attack. But in this dark night stood an unsung hero – Captain Ravi Dharanidhirka, an Indian-American US Marine, who saved the lives of 157 terrified people.
Who is Ravi Dharanidhirka and what was his mission?
Ravi Dharanidhirka is a former Captain in the US Marine Corps and has flown more than 200 combat missions in Iraq, including the 2004 Fallujah siege. In November 2008, 31-year-old Ravi had come to Mumbai with his family and was planning to spend a holiday near Badhwar Park. But fate had decided something else for him.
What happened in Taj Hotel?
Ravi along with his uncles and cousins reached the Lebanese rooftop restaurant located on the 20th floor of the Taj Hotel. As soon as he went inside, he felt a strange uneasiness. The metal detector beeped, but security let them in. Soon after this, news was received that Taj Hotel had been attacked.
How were the lives of 157 people saved?
Ravi immediately stepped into the battlefield. He took command along with the South African X-Commando. They used the fire stairwell, conference hall and kitchen to get people out safely. They took precautions every step of the way, drawing curtains, muting phones and barricading doors with furniture.
What was the most dangerous moment?
There were explosions in the hotel and the flames were increasing. The fear of power grid failure and the firepower of terrorists could prove fatal at any moment. But Ravi, with patience and quick thinking, brought everyone out safely. He did not leave even the 84 year old woman behind and himself came out last.
Why is Ravi Dharanidhirka’s bravery an example?
Saving 157 people was not an easy task. This story is an example not only of courage but of planning, discipline and humanity. With his experience and patience in that most dangerous warzone of Mumbai, Ravi not only saved the lives of people but also made his place in history as an unsung hero.