Rachna Katyal, a 21-year-old girl's life was changed within a month of marraige after she became hostage with her husband, Rupin Katyal, in a hijacked passenger plane, 'IC 814' on December 24, 1999. The heart-wrenching tale of Rupin Katyal and Rachna Katyal's short marriage left the entire country in tears. Rupin was brutally killed on the first day of the hijack by one of the five terrorists on the plane to pressurise the Indian government.
The 25-year-old Rupin, who was a successful businessman, was the only son of his parents. He was well-spoken and highly educated, but his sudden demise left a deep wound in the hearts of the Katyal family. However, they stood strong for the sake of Rachna, who not only witnessed the brutal acts and threats of hijackers on the 'IC: 814' but also the pain of losing her husband, Rupin, while returning from their honeymoon.
It was in an old interview, Rachna revealed that her in-laws became her greatest support. They treated her as their own daughter. Not only the senior Katyal and his wife, but their elder daughter, also started loving Rachna as her sister. The then- 21-year-old was able to get out of the trauma due to Rupan's parents, who helped her. Rachna was quoted as saying:
"Today they are dearer to me than anyone else and we have, in a way, come closer because of the immense tragedy we have shared. Our grief cannot be assuaged. My in-laws have accepted the fact that their son is no more and they have now devoted their life to my welfare. They say, "All we have is Rachna and she is our daughter now and we have to rebuild her life."
It is said that pain unites people, and what the Katyal family lost was irreplaceable and lifelong pain, but the family was adamant about not ruining the life of Rachna, who was just 21 years old at the time of the horrific hijack of the Indian flight, IC 814. Talking about that phase of her life, Rachna shared that it was her father-in-law and mother-in-law who made the decision to rebuild her life. She said:
"I was in no condition to take any decisions. Since I had been brought up in a small town and I was quite young (just 21 when I got married) my exposure to the outside world at that point was minimal. It was my father-in-law who, after discussing it with my mother-in-law, decided that I could not just spend the rest of my life in mourning."
Rachna's father-in-law approached Indian Airlines and asked them to consider employing her in their company. Rachna, who was a graduate of Rohtak University, was able to secure a job in the airlines. Her work helped her get back on in life and gave her the motive to restart her life for the better. Rachna shared:
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"Both mummy and papa (that is what I call Rupan's parents) want me to study as much as I can. Mummy takes care of all the household responsibilities so I don't have to worry about anything. I too am very keen to become a career person. Ever since I have started working, I feel I have changed immensely. I am much more confident and outgoing as a person. I feel my life once again has a purpose."
Kanyadaan is the most important ritual in a Hindu marriage. It is considered the biggest daan a person can do to give away their daughter. Rachna got married to Rupin on December 3, 1999, and lost him while returning from his honeymoon. It was her in-laws who encouraged Rachna to get remarried in 2001. Her father-in-law, Chander Mohan Katyal, performed her Kanyadaan. Her father-in-law said:
"I gave my daughter Rachna away in marriage. Like any parent, we wanted to see our daughter settled in life."
After two years of the unfortunate incident, Rachna married an MNC manager and reportedly delivered her first child in 2002.
Next Read: 'IC 814' Hijacked Flight's Rupin Katyal's Widow, Rachna Katyal: Where Is She After 25 Years?
