Captain Smit Machchhar on Friday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the attack on the Dubai-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight and how he fought back inside the cockpit.
The injured pilot became emotional while recalling the critical moments, saying he nearly collapsed while resisting the attacker but kept going because he was thinking about the more than 170 passengers on board.
As Machchhar fought back tears during the conversation, the Prime Minister comforted him and told him that he could express his emotions freely.
PM Modi praised Machchhar’s parents, Geeta Ben and Bhupendra Bhai, for raising him with strong values.
Machchhar told the Prime Minister that he had spent 17 years in aviation, including 11 years as a captain. His experience, he said, had taught him that protecting passengers must remain the foremost responsibility in every situation.
The captain spoke about his family and culture, telling PM Modi that he places his two-year-old son on his lap each day while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa to him.
“We are far from our motherland but can’t be far from our culture and civilisation,” Machchhar said while updating the Prime Minister about the medical treatment and supervision he was receiving.
PM Modi thanked authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for supporting Machchhar during his recovery.
The Prime Minister assured him that he remained only a phone call away if he needed assistance.
Machchhar described his conversation with PM Modi as a deeply proud moment, saying he had never imagined that he would get an opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister.
Also Read: ‘The Whole Country Is Praying For You’: PM Modi Speaks To Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar
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