New Delhi: Two days after Captain Smit Machchhar was injured by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Smit over a video call.
Modi praised the wounded pilot and wished him a speedy recovery. Machchhar is currently recovering at a hospital in the UAE.
‘I was fighting for my life’
During the 10-minute call, Machchhar shared the incident with Modi.
“I was fighting for my life. I realised at that time that if I didn’t show courage, then the 174 passengers will lose their lives,” Machchhar told Modi.
Machchhar was seriously injured after being stabbed by his co-pilot but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
Machchhar also recalled that he was reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during the ordeal.
“Whenever I am in pain, I recite Hanuman Chalisa. At that time also, I was reciting Hanuman Chalisa, and I know that it was God who saved me,” he told Modi.
Modi told Machchhar that the entire nation was praying for his recovery.
“Maha Mrityunjay jaap is being done for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and composure saved many lives,” Modi said.
“Indians can now proudly say that we are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” he added.
Modi also spoke about Machchhar’s mother, Geeta Ben, and said she had raised him with the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Also Read: From Somnath to Kashi, temples pray for injured flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar
Praise and awards for Machchhar
Machchhar has received praise from political leaders for his role in responding to the attack despite being seriously injured. Prime Minister Modi had earlier said that Machchhar showed “the highest form of courage” and that Indians were praying for his well-being.
Calls have also grown on social media for Captain Smit Machchhar to be considered for the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. Several users tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi while calling for the honour.
Separately, the Gujarat government has announced the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award for Machchhar in recognition of his actions during the incident.
“The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the flight headed to Israel, is being saluted by the entire world today. Despite being drenched in blood due to the attack, he displayed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers — a feat that is profoundly inspiring and commendable,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on X.
Edited by Maryam Hassan