PM Modi speaks to hero flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar on video call

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Friday with injured flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, praising his courage, presence of mind and composure during the cockpit attack aboard flight FZ1073, and telling him the entire country is praying for his recovery, Outlook India reported.

Machchhar, who became emotional during the video call, told Modi he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he is in difficulty and had been doing so during the ordeal. He called the prime minister his “biggest idol” and said he had never imagined getting the chance to speak with him. Modi in turn spoke of Machchhar’s mother, Geeta Ben, saying she had raised him with the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and told him the country can proudly say Indians “are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others”.

The call came a day after Modi publicly hailed Machchhar as a “HERO”, saying his courage helped save lives and avert a major tragedy. Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot aboard the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on September 30 and, despite his injuries, managed to open the cockpit door so passengers and crew could intervene; all 174 people aboard survived. He is now recovering at a hospital in Abu Dhabi after being airlifted from Tabuk.