Gurugram, Oct 6 (PTI) The Gurugram District Bar Association on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime award, be conferred on Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, said an office bearer of the association.
According to the memorandum, it is widely known that on September 30, during a flight from Dubai to Israel, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar displayed extraordinary courage by risking his life and bringing honour to India by ensuring the safety of 180 passengers.
Citing the example of Captain D K Jatar and flight attendant Neerja Bhanot, who have been awarded the Ashoka Chakra for displaying extraordinary bravery under perilous circumstances, the association demands that the Government of India confer the Ashoka Chakra upon Captain Smit Machchhar.
Captain D K Jatar, following a bomb explosion on the Air India aircraft ‘Kashmir Princess’ in 1955, risked his life and used great presence of mind to attempt an emergency landing. Flight attendant Neerja Bhanot (1987, posthumously) saved the lives of hundreds of passengers by acting as a human shield against terrorists’ bullets during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73, it read.
“The Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, conferred upon both military personnel and civilians for extraordinary courage, valour, or sacrifice. In this context, Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is deserving of the Ashoka Chakra,” said advocate Kulbhushan Bhardwaj, president of Gurugram bar association. PTI COR SHS
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