'We Indians risk our lives to save others': PM Modi hails flydubai captain Smit Machchhar

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call on Friday and praised his courage, presence of mind and composure during the mid-air crisis, saying the captain's actions have shown the world that Indians are willing to risk their own lives to save others.

Modi said that despite bleeding from his wounds and barely being able to stand, Machchhar crawled to the cockpit door and opened it, helping save 180 lives, which, he said, showed the captain's determination. Modi told him that the nation was grateful to him and praying for his speedy recovery.

Machchhar, who averted what could have been a 9/11-style aviation tragedy by foiling an attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, is recovering at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates. The Prime Minister wished him a speedy recovery and hailed him as a "HERO", saying his valour had helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy. Machchhar was injured while fighting off a life-threatening attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who is recovering in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, became emotional during the video call and told Modi that it is a very special moment for him to speak to the Prime Minister, who is his "biggest idol", saying he had never imagined he would get an opportunity to speak to him.

The Prime Minister opened the conversation by enquiring about Machchhar's health and asking how he was feeling. The pilot assured him that he was doing well and that everything was fine. "See, the whole country is praying for you. People are chanting Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for you everywhere. Your courage, your patience, and your presence of mind...I mean, within a fraction of a second, you made a decision and saved so many lives.

The entire country can proudly say that we Indians are not people who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others," PM Modi said. Modi said, "You got such a big wound on your body; you were fighting a battle for life and death at that time. Even then, you didn't care about your life; you cared about the lives of all the passengers. And most importantly, you increased the respect of 140 crore countrymen, and that is why I feel proud."

During the conversation, Modi also spoke about Machchhar's family and spoke about his interaction with the pilot's parents and wife, praising the values with which he was raised. "Yesterday, I got the opportunity to talk to Bhupendra bhai (Smit's father), talked to Geeta ben (Smit's mother), Sonal ben (Smit's wife)," Modi said. Referring to Machchhar's mother, he said, "I told Geeta ben that your name is Geeta, but you completely imbibed Krishna's Geeta, and you made Smit's life according to the values of that Gita." Modi said Machchhar's mother had raised him with the teachings and values of the Bhagavad Gita, which, he said, were reflected in the pilot's courage during the crisis.

Recalling the moments inside the cockpit, Machchhar said he was seriously injured but realised he had to act when he sensed that the aircraft was going down. "I was in that moment, sir, I was fighting for my life," he told Modi, describing how he struggled to reach the cockpit door after falling to the floor with multiple injuries. Machchhar, who has been a captain for 11 years, said his experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft even as he lay injured.

"I totally knew that these were the last few seconds of Smit," he said. Even then, he crawled to the door and opened it so that others could enter and help. "I was fighting for my life, but I had it in my mind that I could not let everyone die," he told Modi. Machchhar also spoke about the role of faith in helping him endure the ordeal. He said he regularly recites the Hanuman Chalisa when he is in difficulty and was doing the same during the cockpit attack.

"Whenever I feel pain, I just chant Hanuman Chalisa. At that time, too, I was only chanting Hanuman Chalisa. And I know that God is with me," he said.

He said the event had left him unsure whether he would survive, making his conversation with Modi all the more significant. "I have not thought even for a moment that I would be able to talk to you ever. I never thought," Machchhar said. He also expressed gratitude for the medical treatment he received after the incident, saying he could not have asked for better care and medical attention.

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