Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar in Gujarati during a video call and praised his courage during the recent flight emergency. Machchhar had suffered serious injuries during an attack by his co-pilot but still made a final attempt to reach the cockpit. He told PM Modi that his 17 years of flying experience helped him realize that the aircraft was going down. Despite the continued attack, he managed to open the cockpit door. Machchhar also acknowledged the efforts of others who helped control the situation and protect the passengers.
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PM Modi Praises Captain Smit Machchhar’s Courage
During the conversation, PM Modi asked Machchhar about his family and children. The captain said both his children speak Gujarati because the family taught them the language before English. He said his elder daughter visited him in the hospital but became frightened after seeing his condition. His two-year-old son could not meet him because doctors did not permit the visit. The conversation also highlighted how Machchhar’s family has maintained its connection with Gujarati language and cultural traditions while living outside India.
PM Modi also praised Machchhar’s parents and wife for the values they had given him. He appreciated his wife Sonalben for remaining calm while discussing the incident with him. Modi said he had also spoken with Machchhar’s father Bhupendra Bhai and mother Geeta Behen. He praised Geeta Behen for raising her son with values associated with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. PM Modi said Machchhar’s actions had attracted appreciation from people in India and around the world.
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Captain Recalls Flight Emergency and Hanuman Chalisa
Machchhar recalled the frightening moments after he fell to the floor during the attack. He said he realized that the aircraft was in danger and told himself that he needed to make one final effort to reach the cockpit. Although he initially thought he was fighting for his own survival, he knew that he could not allow the passengers to lose their lives. He pushed himself toward the cockpit door even while the attack continued. Once he opened the door, other people joined him and helped manage the emergency.
While recovering in a UAE hospital, Machchhar said he remained calm by continuously reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. He explained that the prayer comes to his mind whenever he feels afraid or faces a difficult situation. He said he felt God’s grace during the frightening incident and credited his faith for helping him stay composed. Machchhar also revealed that he regularly recites the Hanuman Chalisa with his two-year-old son. He said his family continues to preserve its cultural traditions despite living away from India.
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