Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken by video call to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian Flydubai pilot who was stabbed in the cockpit of a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight and still helped protect the lives of those on board.
The call took place on Friday while Captain Machchhar remained in hospital in the United Arab Emirates. He told the Prime Minister that he had been reciting the Hanuman Chalisa as he fought to stay conscious and open the cockpit door. He said he had been a pilot for 11 years, knew exactly what was happening after the attack, and understood that he had only seconds in which to act. Passengers then rushed in.
Captain Machchhar said that whenever he is in pain he recites the Hanuman Chalisa, and that he had done so throughout the incident. He told Mr Modi that he could not allow the others on the aircraft to die, and that he had never imagined he would speak to the Prime Minister. He described Mr Modi as his ideal and said the call had made him feel proud.
Mr Modi praised the captain’s courage, composure and presence of mind. He said the whole country was praying for him, and that Maha Mrityunjaya jaap was being offered for his health. He told Captain Machchhar that India could say with pride that Indians do not take lives, but are willing to risk their own lives to save others. He also said the whole world wanted to speak to the pilot, and that India was waiting to welcome him home.
The Prime Minister spoke to him in Gujarati and referred to prayers being offered at revered shrines, including Somnath and Kashi Vishwanath. He said he had already spoken to members of the family, including Captain Machchhar’s mother, Geeta Ben, and his wife, and praised his mother for raising him with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Captain Machchhar said that although he lives outside India, he continues to live by Indian values and culture.
The conversation followed public praise from Mr Modi on Thursday, when he called Captain Machchhar a hero and said his actions had helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. The Prime Minister had also spoken that day to the pilot’s wife and parents and assured them that Indian missions were providing assistance.
The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Machchhar, who is in his mid thirties and has family ties to Gujarat and Mumbai, was attacked by his co-pilot. Despite serious injuries he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene. The aircraft, carrying about 174 passengers, was diverted and landed safely. He was treated in Saudi Arabia before being moved for further care in the United Arab Emirates.
Captain Machchhar joined Flydubai in 2022 after more than 11 years with SpiceJet, where he rose to senior commander and line training captain. He has close to 9,750 flying hours, largely on Boeing 737 aircraft. Before aviation he studied textile engineering, with the original intention of joining the family business.
By A.Ikechukwu
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