Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage, presence of mind and composure during the cockpit attack.
PM Modi told Machchhar that the entire country was praying for his recovery and offering prayers for his health and long life. He said India could take pride in its people who are willing to 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,” the Prime Minister said, praising Machchhar for remaining concerned about passengers while fighting for his own life.
PM Modi thanked his mother, Geeta Ben, for the values she had instilled in him.
Machchhar told PM Modi that he had spent 17 years in aviation, including 11 years as a captain. He described the Prime Minister as his ‘biggest ideal’ and said he felt extremely proud to receive the call.
Recalling the attack, Machchhar said he realised the aircraft was going down after he fell inside the cockpit. Despite his injuries, he made one final effort to open the cockpit door, allowing others to enter and restrain the attacker.
Machchhar stressed that the passengers and crew played an important role in overpowering the attacker. He said he recites the Hanuman Chalisa when he needs positivity or experiences pain, and spoke about reciting it with his two-year-old son during puja.
PM Modi Calls Him ‘Veer Purush’
The captain became emotional during the conversation, prompting PM Modi to console him.
The Prime Minister described Machchhar as a ‘Veer Purush’. He said people across the country were praying for his safety.
Machchhar said he viewed his actions not simply as a duty but as a journey and expressed confidence about recovering soon.
PM Modi thanked the UAE and Abu Dhabi authorities for supporting the injured pilot and assured him that he remained only a phone call away.
Referring to Gandhi Jayanti, the Prime Minister said Machchhar had demonstrated the meaning of ‘ahimsa’ and wished him a speedy recovery.
Also Read: ‘The Whole Country Wants To Talk To You’: PM Modi Consoles Emotional Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar
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