Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar through a video call and praised his courage, presence of mind and composure during the cockpit attack.
PM Modi said India could proudly say that its people do not take lives but risk their own lives to save others.
“The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap is being performed for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and composure saved many lives. The country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Modi told Machchhar that although he was fighting for his own life, he remained concerned about the passengers. He thanked the captain and praised the values his mother, Geeta Ben, had instilled in him.
Machchhar said he had spent 17 years in aviation, including 11 years as a captain. He told Prime Minister Modi that he was his “biggest ideal” and said he felt extremely proud after receiving the call.
Machchhar recalled realising that the aircraft was going down after he fell inside the cockpit. Despite his injuries, he made one final effort to open the cockpit door.
“When I fell down, I realised that the flight was going down. I realised that I had to open the door one last time, and I opened the door. All the other people entered,” he said. He added that other passengers played an equal role in subduing the attacker.
Machchhar said he recites the Hanuman Chalisa when he needs positivity or experiences pain. He became emotional during the conversation, prompting PM Modi to console him.
The captain said he keeps his two-year-old son on his lap while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during puja, stressing the importance of staying connected with Indian culture.
Prime Minister Modi said prayers, pujas and aartis were being conducted across the country for Machchhar’s safety and long life. He called him a “Veer Purush”.
Machchhar said he viewed his actions not merely as duty but as a journey and expressed confidence about recovering soon.
PM Modi thanked the UAE and Abu Dhabi government for supporting the injured pilot. He assured Machchhar that he remained just a phone call away.
Referring to Gandhi Jayanti, PM Modi said Machchhar had demonstrated the meaning of ‘ahimsa’. The Prime Minister later spoke with him in Gujarati and wished him a speedy recovery.
Also Read: ‘You Are My Biggest Idol’: Emotional Captain Smit Machchhar Tells PM Modi
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
