Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call on Friday, praising his courage, presence of mind and composure during the mid-air incident that helped save passengers and crew members.
The conversation turned emotional when Machchhar became tearful while speaking with the Prime Minister.
The pilot apologised to Modi after losing his composure and said he had never imagined getting an opportunity to speak with him.
Prime Minister Modi consoled the emotional captain, saying, “Why are you crying? The whole country wants to talk to you.”
Referring to Machchhar’s remarks about the Hanuman Chalisa, Modi said, “And what you have said about the Hanuman Chalisa, I will thank Geeta Ben for giving you such values.”
“The whole country is here to welcome you with great excitement,” the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi described Machchhar as a “Veer Purush” and praised his courage during the incident. The captain said he viewed what happened not merely as part of his work but as a journey. “I am confident that I will recover soon,” Machchhar told Modi.
The Prime Minister wished him a speedy recovery and congratulated him for his courage and presence of mind.
“I want to congratulate you, and today is Gandhi Jayanti. I want to say that you have demonstrated what ahimsa (non-violence) means,” PM Modi said. He spoke with Machchhar in Gujarati during the interaction.
Machchhar sustained severe injuries when the Omani co-pilot attacked him on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight on Wednesday. The co-pilot allegedly tried to take control of the aircraft, prompting Machchhar to fight back and unlock the cockpit door.
The move allowed crew members and passengers to enter the cockpit and restrain the attacker, averting what could have been a major disaster. The flight carried more than 170 people.
Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while an investigation into the incident continues, according to the airline.
Also Read: Captain Machchhar tells PM Modi How Hanuman Chalisa Helped During Cockpit Fightback
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