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The Captain Devi Sharan Chat:
Unanswered questions

To say that the chatroom was overflowing for the Capt Sharan chat would be an understatement. There were questions coming in faster than the IA pilot could handle, as can be seen here.

lakshmi (Mon Jan 3 19100 23:43 IST)
Hello Capt Sharan.

promita (Tue Jan 4 19100 0:7 IST)
Hello captain, first of all, how are you? How is your family? It was really nice to hear that we have people like you. I was continuously watching the whole coverage very anxiously. Whatever the setback, I was happy that the passengers were all released safe, except Rupin Katyal. Also, you proved to be a hero for the nation & more famous than any other celebrities. Thanks a lot. Bye, Promita (from Bombay)

Kaushal (Tue Jan 4 19100 0:21 IST)
First of all, let me congratulate you for the enormous courage you displayed during the entire ordeal. Secondly, your family too, deserves accolades for the level of confidence they had in you. You are truly the hero of the nation. Kudos to you.

manoj (Tue Jan 4 19100 1:25 IST)
Hi brave man

manoj (Tue Jan 4 19100 1:29 IST)
Hi. It is difficult to examine the pain in which you were there. Certainly we lost R Katyal but the brave & courageous efforts you showed was really indescribable. My another mail id is tanuj11@hotmail.com

mg (Tue Jan 4 19100 1:56 IST)
Hi, congratulations! However, I have some questions: a) Could you have stalled the plane in Amritsar by, say, turning the plane towards loose ground ( mitti) next to the runway? b) Was it possible to jettison the fuel of the aircraft in Armitsar ? c) Could the plane be prevented for takeoff had the runway lights been switched off? d) Could you have deliberately introduced some snag in the plane?

sanjay (Tue Jan 4 19100 2:34 IST)
Hi! Congratulations. Some questions: 1. Which was the most crucial moment in your opinion? 2. Do you think India did the correct thing in exchanging terrorist? Could there have been some other way out? 3. Did the Taleban really help or was it a eyewash? We feel they were more in their home and could get more arms there. Is this true? 4 Your opinion about Pakistan's involvement in it

nil (Tue Jan 4 19100 2:51 IST)
Congrats sir

nil (Tue Jan 4 19100 2:53 IST)
What do you feel now, after this challenge?

pg (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:8 IST)
Hi, 1) Were the hijackers knowledgeable about aircraft instrumentation? 2) What is the duty of civilians towards their country?

neelima (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:11 IST)
How are you now, Captn Saran!

saranjit (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:16 IST)
First of all, I want to congratulate you, Sir, on your bravery and courage that you showed while tackling with those cheap hijackers.

saranjit (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:19 IST)
Do not worry sir, or feel sorry about those three militants which India had to free against crew members and passengers because I am sure we will get those hijackers and militants sooner or later and they will all end up behind iron bars.

kanna (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:22 IST)
Dear Sharan, how do you feel now?

rifar (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:23 IST)
Hi captain!

rifar (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:24 IST)
How's your mental balance, meaning are you behaving normally?

rifar (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:27 IST)
Captain, when do you think you will be able to resume your work after executing such a strenuous task?

kanna (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:27 IST)
Sir, why you couldn't cause intentional damage to the aircraft on your own while it landed at Amritsar which could have halted you there itself? Please reply to this sir.

Neena (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:40 IST)
Hi captain, congratulations on your courage during the hijack ordeal. I would like to know about your feelings when you realised for the first time that the plane was hijacked. Also, there are reports that proper food was given to hostages. What exactly was the scene 'inside' IC 814? Thank you, and a great New Year ahead for you.

Neena (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:42 IST)
Captain, what was the moment you feared the most during the entire ordeal?

alva (Tue Jan 4 19100 3:55 IST)
Great job, sir, how do you feel at home now after the nightmare?

Shree (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:3 IST)
Hello captain, we are really proud of your achievements.... Do you think the Indian government did a good job?

N Santosh Kumar (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:6 IST)
Wish you a Happy New Year. Captain, first of all congratulations on the deal you have done. Tell me, what was going on in your mind when you landed at Amritsar with the hijackers were not in favour of doing so?

asish mukerji (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:18 IST)
Dear Capt Sharan, I am really proud of you. Can you please tell me how you landed in Lahore airport when the lights had been switched off and how you took off from half a runway in Amritsar? Was there not any technical problem that you faced with the aircraft? Regards, Asish Mukerji, asishmukerji@yahoo.com

Neena (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:26 IST)
Captain, don't you feel some technical snag could have been 'developed' with the aircraft, so as to delay the takeoff in Amritsar?. My email id for your reply to this question and the previous 2 questions, is ngopalan@hutchca.com.

Talibanmilitant (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:26 IST)
Hi Sharan.

sarah (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:26 IST)
Hello captain. I hope you're fine. I have some questions on my mind that I hope you won't mind answering. First, you might not want to talk about it, but do you know when Katyal was stabbed? Did u see it? Secondly, honestly tell me if you thought the hijackers were ruthless, inhuman men, without taking into account the murder as they were surely tens at that time? And finally, to put it in the most simplest way, you did a great job!!!!!

Talibanmilitant (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:28 IST)
I am Masood Azhar.

sarah (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:35 IST)
Yeah, I'm back again. I've got some more things to ask you about. Could u sort of describe the hijackers, what they were wearing, which language they spoke in and if it was fluent, did you see all five of them? You mentioned earlier that the hijackers joked and sort of chatted with the people on board. what did they talk about? Did they say anything about themselves or their families? How old do you think they were?

kxp (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:37 IST)
Congratulations captain! After this experience can you think of any specific improvements in the security procedures at airports so that this kind of incident does not recur?

annamalail (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:53 IST)
Hello captain, what is your opinion of the Indian government after this hijack?

neena (Tue Jan 4 19100 4:59 IST)
Captain, do you think the Taleban was involved in this hijack deal? Was Kandahar chosen at random by the hijackers or were they very much interested in that place? ngopalan@hutchca.com

Raja (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:5 IST)
Hi

Raja (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:6 IST)
Great , we are proud of you.

suhel (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:7 IST)
Hi captain

Eshwar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:10 IST)
Congratulations captain!! Just one question, if the events were to be rewinded, would you still have done the same thing? India has had to leave three terrorists who would torment innocent citizens again... Would you not prefer doing something differently?

surya prakash (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:13 IST)
Hello Sharan, after getting out from the Death Trap how are you feeling now?

sudhakar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:13 IST)
Hello Captain Sharan, a very happy New Year to you and you family. My sincere congratulations for your courage during the hijack ordeal. Tell me, Captain Sharan, was the information that the hostages were allowed to chat freely, walk on the tarmac, that proper food was given to them, etc was it true or twisted?

shree (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:19 IST)
Hello Captain, we are really proud of your achievement.... Do you think the Indian government did a good job?

pritam (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:21 IST)
Hello Sir, I am very glad and proud of you. Your extraordinary bravery at last saved our fellow countrymen. What was your reaction when you first realised that your flight has been hijacked? 2. Did you try to convey the ATC that your plane has been hijacked in secret codes, if so why didn't they react to it and take proper action? Well, if you would send me your photograph with your autograph on it I would be very glad. Wish you a very happy New Year. Thank you, your lovingly, Pritam, pritammahapatra@rediffmail.com

aury (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:23 IST)
Congrats Captain. Did you think of your family during the crisis? How did you overcome your personal crisis?

ashutoshdatar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:23 IST)
Hi Capt Sharan. What was your first reaction when you came to know of the hijacking?

Sarah (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:24 IST)
Captain, I must say that your wife is a brave woman, hats off to her, she had utmost faith in you.

anoop (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:25 IST)
Capt, in your view what could have been done to delay the departure from Amritsar? How is it that no one from 160 passengers had the courage to confront the hijackers?

latika (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:25 IST)
We praise your and the crew's bravery and even thinking of a last effort escape plan.

gayathri (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:27 IST)
Hi Capt Sharan, happy New Year! I am from Singapore and was following CNN day and night during the hijacking. India had to give up three terrorists for 160 lives. Don't you think that 1) you could have stalled the plane at Amristar itself on some pretext like there was no fuel at all. 2) Do you know anything about how Rachna must have been feeling in the aircraft? Did she know her husband had passed away? 3) Couldn't the men have overpowered the hijackers?

latika (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:29 IST)
Did anyone see the hijackers without the masks? And can they remember them?

Ashish (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:32 IST)
Hi Capt, Congrats on your bravery. Which dialect of Hindi were the hijackers talking in? Did you too conclude from their talks etc that that they were Pakis?

Lalitha (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:33 IST)
Congrats Captain Sharan. Your patience and strong will saved many lives. We have only heard in stories that there have been saviours and now we see one in real life. Please tell me, even though the drama has ended and everything seems to appear all right, certain things are not fine. First of all, I read in the newspaper that the terrorist have collected money to present a memento to the Taleban government and left saying we shall meet again. Isn't it a mockery and also signs of further attacks?

v vivek (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:33 IST)
Dear Capt, the number of hijackers was only six and passengers, 160. Was it not possible to overpower the hijackers at any point of time even it means losing two or three lives??

Captain, what would you say about Pakistan's hand in the hijacking?

sachinbhatnagar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:35 IST)
Dear Capt, sir, a very simple question, how were you feeling when you were there in Kanddhar, was it stress, fear or did the hijackers treat you nicely?

Ashish (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:35 IST)
Do you believe Indian airports are safer than Kathmandu?

nisha (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:36 IST)
How was the behaviour of the hijackers with you!?

Ashish (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:41 IST)
Dear Capt, congrats!! 1. Did the behaviour of the hijackers indicate their links to Pak? 2. Do you think Indian airports are safer that Kathmandu?

Das (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:42 IST)
Capt Sharan, congratulations! You did a good job that makes Indians all over the world proud. During those days did you ever think Indians and the government have left you and the passengers at the mercy of those thugs?

amlesh (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:42 IST)
Captain, there is talk of armed sky marshals being introduced. How would you feel about armed passenger(s) on your flight? Knowing how complacent Indian authorities are, this idea is a disaster waiting to happen in the long run, once the usual *chalta hai* attitude takes over.

Eshwar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:45 IST)
Congratulations captain!! It was a brave act well done, still.... If events were to be rewinded, would you still have done the same thing? India has had to leave three terrorists who would torment innocent citizens again.. Would you not prefer doing something differently?

Raghu (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:46 IST)
Captain Sharan...Did you see/know the hijackers contacting a "third force" outside the plane for direction on what to do next....?

sachinbhatnagar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:46 IST)
Capt. Sharan, what kind of mentality were you in when you were flying the aircraft after being hijacked. Were you finding it difficult to concentrate?

nomonster (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:48 IST)
Captain, there is a ridiculous rumour doing the rounds that you took off from Amritsar on your own. It seemed you were in a greater hurry to take off than the militants asking you to?

nisha (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:48 IST)
Were they behaving badly with u !?!?

Das (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:48 IST)
Capt, is it possible on your part to identify any of the hijackers? Secondly, did they ever repent killing Katyal?

atul (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:49 IST)
Congratulations captain! Really you have done a great job to save the passengers. We are proud that there are great sons of India who have the courage to fight with death. I salute you.

sachinbhatnagar (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:50 IST)
Capt Sir, we heard reports that the plane developed some problem while in Kandahar. Is that correct ??

Raghu (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:51 IST)
Your wife is as courageous as you are. We are proud of you both. I'm thrilled by your wife's courage during this crisis, proving she's not just another ordinary woman weeping and crying. As long as Indian men and women like you exist, no evil force can harm India.

Lalitha (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:51 IST)
Captain, did the terrorist have guns with them at Amritsar?

mahadev (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:53 IST)
How was the journey?

Das (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:54 IST)
Capt, from their activity do you think they are specially trained ones?

amlesh (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:54 IST)
Come on captain, Airline security is the rule rather than the exception these days. I myself have experienced Air India security when there was LTTE risk. El Al, British Airways, Gulf Air have their own security too. And knowing that Tribhuvan Airport is lax, IA's responsibility is even more.

Meena (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:56 IST)
Personally do you think that you all could have overpowered the hijackers, had the plane landed in a more friendly nation?

indian (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:57 IST)
Capt, are you via air force into civil, or direct recruit??

nomonster (Tue Jan 4 19100 5:57 IST)
Captain, it seems you ignored my question Tell us what happened at Amritsar, It seems you were too eager to take off from there

Bharathbr (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:0 IST)
Capt, shouldn't it be mandatory that boarding passes should be issued with care?

srangana (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:0 IST)
Hi, did the hijackers really know some basics about the flight operations as reported in some newspaper? Or it's just that the creativity of our media was good?

Raghu (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:0 IST)
Gayathri.. How can we expect 160 innocent people to sacrifice their lives? They ain't soldiers. But I'm with an opinion that India must use all its might to punish the culprits and their associates... Hereafter, not a single terrorist must be arrested... they must be shot dead...

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ginny (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:1 IST)
Congratulations!! You sure have made India proud... What kind of thoughts were passing in your mind about your family, in the crisis??

anuja (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:2 IST)
They say the Nepali hijacker has been killed, is that true??

vasanthachary (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:2 IST)
What do you suggest to the government for preventing hijacks?

AK (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:3 IST)
Dear Capt, do you think the hijackers were supported by Pakistan?

Eric Ashok (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:3 IST)
Thanks for replying. The media over here in Europe said you could listen to music and play cards after a few days. Did you have a radio? Could you follow the whole story from another perspective? And, how was your contact with the outside world?

Raghu (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:3 IST)
Captain: What was their reaction when the Taleban surrounded the plane...???

rajesh (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:3 IST)
Sir, your view on arming our flight crew?

anuja (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:5 IST)
Were all the passengers on board blindfolded?

indian (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:6 IST)
How in the world were you sure that they were not going to kill you later?? You should have refused to take off from A'sar.

nisha (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:6 IST)
Capt, how come Rachna Katyal didn't know her husband was dead?!?!?

jap (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:7 IST)
Capt, one last question. Will you allow your daughter to become an airline pilot if she so wishes...?

Bharathbr (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:9 IST)
Did you ever come in contact with Muttawakil during the crisis?

sharmilee (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:9 IST)
Is it true the hijackers started getting friendlier with the people towards the latter part?

AK (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:10 IST)
Dear Capt, why don't you write a book answering all our questions?

Deepak (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:10 IST)
Captain, are ordinary passengers allowed to go to the cockpit with permission from the crew?

indian (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:10 IST)
Guess you were more worried about being alive than saving passenger's life, you should have got them killed in A'sar, this black spot in the history of India will remain forever because you didn't help your country to get them killed, by crashing the plane.

prathish (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:10 IST)
Could you access outside news from the cockpit?

IndianRediff (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:11 IST)
Captain Sharan: Thanks for answering my question. Would you have any recommendations for the security preparations of IA and the airport authority? Someone in the US (http://www.ebcradio.com) had a suggestion that the pilots cabin should NOT be connected to the main fuselage. This will automatically prevent anyone from entering the cockpit and hijacking the plane. What do you think?

Raghu (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:15 IST)
Captain.... You knew roughly the kind of weapons the hijackers possessed. In you opinion, was it possible to save the passengers with minimal casualities in a commando operation....assuming the Taleban giving permission for such an operation?

Thiru (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:16 IST)
By the way, how much time did you stay in Amritsar, before you were asked to take off from there?

nisha (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:16 IST)
Capt, was it true that you people didn't get proper food after 2-3 days!?!?

maya (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:19 IST)
Do you support the release of the hardcore militants????

Bharathbr (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:20 IST)
How about the flight back home, was the mood in the plane one of rejoicing over the passengers' release or a mixed bag?

sharmilee (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:21 IST)
When and where is your next flight going to be? And what about the crew?

harshdeep (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:23 IST)
Sir I think that the seven days time was quite enough for the ' Stockholm Syndrome' to set.

Bharathbr (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:23 IST)
What was the mood of the crew on the flight back?

sharmilee (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:24 IST)
What kind of an impact has this episode left on you? Like, would you

Raghu (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:26 IST)
We admire you and your family Captain... God bless you...

anuja (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:27 IST)
I really wonder whether the government has taken the right decision, now every other plane can be hijacked and the government would be asked to release a few more terrorists.

Dinesh (Tue Jan 4 19100 6:32 IST)
What was your reaction when the you saw the armed militants?