NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urging the government to consider flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for the Ashoka Chakra for his role in averting an alleged attempt to take control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.“I am writing to you regarding Captam Smit Machchhar, the Mumbai-born pilot whose extraordinary courage and presence of mind during the receist Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv helped save the lives of all 174 passengers on board,” Deora said in the letter.“His courage has already been recognised not merely in India, but across the world. I believe that formally recognising such an act would carry significance far beyond the honour bestowed upon one Individual. It would send a powerful message, particularly to our young people, thut courage is not confined to the battlefield or to any particular profession,” he added.Machchhar, a Mumbai-born pilot, was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to take control of the aircraft during flydubai flight FZ1073. Despite his injuries, Machchhar continued to act to protect the 174 passengers on board, Deora said in his letter to PM Modi.The flight, carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, transmitted emergency signals and rapidly lost altitude before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.According to accounts of the incident, Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit, after which an Israeli passenger and a crew member managed to enter the cockpit and helped overpower the co-pilot. The UAE has launched an investigation into the incident, with the motive behind the alleged attack still under probe.Deora said Machchhar’s actions went beyond the responsibilities of his profession and demonstrated “courage, selflessness and duty” in an extreme situation.“The Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest peacetime gallantry decoration” and is intended to recognise conspicuous bravery, valour or self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy, Deora said, urging the government to consider Machchhar for the honour.The appeal comes after PM Modi spoke to Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage, presence of mind and composure during the ordeal. PM Modi told him that the country was proud of his efforts to protect the lives of those onboard.During the conversation, Machchhar told PM Modi that he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he faces difficulty and had done so during the tense moments aboard the flight. He also described Modi as his “biggest idol”.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also praised Machchhar’s actions, saying he helped thwart what could have been a “9/11-like” disaster.In his letter, Deora said formally recognising Machchhar would underline that courage and self-sacrifice are not confined to the battlefield or any particular profession.
