Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar through a video call and praised his courage, presence of mind and composure during the recent mid-air crisis, saying his actions helped save many lives.

Modi began the conversation by enquiring about Machchhar’s health and said the entire country was praying for his speedy recovery.

“The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap is being performed for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and composure saved many lives. The country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” Modi said.

Machchhar nodded and replied, “Yes, sir.”

The Prime Minister said that although the captain was fighting for his own life at the time, he remained concerned about the safety of others.

“You were fighting for your life, but at that time, you didn't care about your life; you cared for the lives of all the people,” Modi said.

He also expressed gratitude to Machchhar and praised the values instilled in him by his mother, Geeta Ben.

“I had said to Geeta Ben that you have the values of the Gita and have shaped your son's life,” Modi said.

Machchhar then recounted the incident, saying he had been in aviation for 17 years and had 11 years of experience as a captain.

“You are my biggest ideal, sir. You called me, and I am feeling very proud. At that moment, I was fighting for my own life, but there was one moment when I realised that if I did not do anything right now, people could lose their lives. I have 11 years of experience as a captain and 17 years in aviation, so I understood what was happening on the flight,” Machchhar said.

He recalled realising that the aircraft was going down and making a final effort to open the cockpit door.

“When I fell down, I realised that the flight was going down. I realised that I had to open the door one last time, and I opened the door. All the other people entered. So, I would say there was an equal role played by the other people too in this,” he said.

“I was fighting for my life, but I knew that I would not let the other people die. After that moment, I received the care and medical attention that I am getting now,” he added.

Machchhar also spoke about his faith and said he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he needs positivity or is in pain.

“When I need positivity and feel pain, I read the Hanuman Chalisa. At that moment, too, when you called me, I felt proud,” he said.

During the interaction, Machchhar became emotional and broke down in tears. Modi consoled him and tried to make him comfortable.

“Why are you crying? The whole country wants to talk to you. And when you spoke about the Hanuman Chalisa, I would like to thank Geeta Ben for giving you such values,” Modi said.

Machchhar further shared how he keeps his two-year-old son on his lap while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.

“When I do puja, I keep my two-year-old son on my lap and then recite the Hanuman Chalisa. Because I am away from the country, but it is not good to be away from our culture,” he said.

“Yes, you are saying it right,” Modi responded.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the prayers, pujas and aartis being conducted across the country for Machchhar’s safety and long life.

“The whole country is here to welcome you with great excitement,” Modi said, referring to Machchhar as a “Veer Purush”.

Machchhar, however, said he did not consider what he had done merely as a duty.

“I am not considering all of this as my work, but as a journey,” he said, adding that he was confident he would recover soon.

Modi also expressed gratitude to the UAE and the Abu Dhabi government for their support.

“Smit, whenever you need me, I am just a phone call away. Truly, if such things had not been done, how would the pilots of the country have felt? You have done a great job,” Modi said.

“Had this not happened, who knows what India would have had to face, what all Indian pilots would have had to endure, and how Indian pilots would have been viewed. You have saved everyone. You have done a very big thing,” he added.

The Prime Minister wished Machchhar a speedy recovery and congratulated him for his courage.

“I want to congratulate you, and today is Gandhi Jayanti. I want to say that what 'ahimsa' is, you have proved it,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also spoke to Machchhar in Gujarati during the interaction. The captain is undergoing treatment following the September 30 incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, during which the co-pilot allegedly attacked him and the aircraft went into a steep descent before the cockpit door was opened and passengers intervened. The flight was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.