BRUSSELS BLASTS: INDIAN AIR HOSTESS READY TO FLY

An Indian flight attendant who was injured in the Brussels airport blasts last year said she has recovered 70% of her previous fitness level and would like to resume her pas sion, flying.

Nidhi Chaphekar suffered burns and a broken foot in the explosions. She said she is look ing forward to visiting Brussels next week to take part in the anniversary commemoration and meet the doctors and others who helped her.

The March 22 bombing in the Brussels airport and subway killed 32 people and wounded 270.

A photograph of Chaphekar a flight attendant with India’s Jet Airways, became an iconic image of the attacks. It showed the 40-year-old mother of two sitting dazed and bloodied, with her yellow uniform ripped.

In an interview in Mumbai on Friday, Chaphekar said the pic ture gave her family in India hope that she was alive.

“I appeared to be in a state of shock. It was a compelling pic ture as it depicted everything — shock and trauma,” she said.

In the past year, Chaphekar’s life has changed. “From a very independent female, I became dependent on others as I recov ered from injuries. I used to run a lot. I can’t run now,” she said

“I am 70% fine now. A bone has to be put in my injured right foot. Physically, there are chal lenges,” Chaphekar said.

“I have not yet started flying My dream is to fly back,” she said.

Chaphekar said she is writing a book and has been asked to give motivational speeches. She wants to inspire people and tel them that everything is possible in life.