New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and citizens across the country shower Captain Smit Machchhar with accolades and prayers for his heroic act, a gesture has caught everyone’s attention. This time, it is from the company Mankind Pharma.
The pharmaceutical company has honoured Machchhar, who thwarted an alleged attempt to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight despite being stabbed by his co-pilot, with Rs 1 crore as a gesture of gratitude in recognition of his “extraordinary courage, leadership and humanity.”
In a letter to Machchhar on Friday, Mankind Pharma’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Rajeev Juneja, said that as an Indian he feels “immense sense of pride watching an Indian demonstrate such courage, humanity and responsibility before the entire world.”
“No amount of money can ever equal the value of lives you protected or inspiration you have given to millions. This contribution is simply a small expression of our deepest respect, gratitude and admiration for your courage and humanity,” the letter read.
Juneja also thanked Machchhar for making India proud and putting others before himself.
“Capt. Smit, as an Indian, we salute you. You have made the entire country proud,” he wrote.
Also read: From Somnath to Kashi, temples pray for injured flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar
Widespread praise
Since it became public that Machchhar had saved passengers by unlocking the cockpit, tales of his heroism are all over the internet. From PM Modi speaking to him over a video call to major temples, including Somnath and Kashi Vishwanath, holding special prayers for his recovery, the response has been widespread.
Machchhar turned emotional on Friday as he spoke to PM Modi on the video call. “I was doing it to save my life, but I also knew that I could not let the others die,” Machchar said in the video. “I was constantly reciting hanuman chalisa during the incident and I know that god has saved me.”
Not just the Prime Minister of India, PM of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump also called Machchar a hero.
“Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker – preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster… He saved the lives of 174 people… He is a true hero,” Netanyahu said.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)