Captain Smit Machchhar gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi a brief account of the deadly attack and his fightback inside the cockpit of the Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight on Friday.
The wounded pilot became emotional while describing how he nearly collapsed while resisting the attacker. He said the thought of 170 passengers kept him going.
With tears running down his cheeks, Machchhar recalled the critical moments during the attack.
Prime Minister Modi comforted the emotional pilot and told him he could express his emotions freely during their conversation.
The Prime Minister praised Machchhar’s parents, Geeta Ben and Bhupendra Bhai, for raising him with strong moral values.
Machchhar said he had worked in aviation for 17 years and served as a captain for 11 years. He said his experience had taught him that passenger safety remains the foremost responsibility under all circumstances.
The captain further told PM Modi that he places his two-year-old son on his lap every day while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa to him.
“We are far from our motherland but can’t be far from our culture and civilisation,” he said, while updating the Prime Minister about the medical care and supervision he was receiving.
PM Modi thanked authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for supporting Machchhar during his recovery. He assured the captain that he was just a phone call away whenever he needed assistance.
Machchhar described the conversation with Modi as a deeply proud moment, saying he had never imagined getting an opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister.
Also Read: ‘Indians Risk Their Lives To Save Others’: PM Modi Praises Captain Smit Machchhar
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