ACCOLADES poured in on Thursday for Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who fought off a co-pilot trying to crash a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and saved several lives despite being stabbed. His childhood friend, neighbours from the Mumbai building where he lived until a few years ago, were among those who hailed Machchhar as a hero and praised his courage. They also prayed for the speedy recovery of the pilot, who is currently being treated at a hospital in Saudi Arabia and has received high praise nationally and globally, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Machchhar’s childhood friend Prateek Gandhi said he had displayed presence of mind even as a young boy.

 

“He was very calm and composed from day one. He was the most “sorted out” kind of kid in our housing society,” said Gandhi, who lives in the same building as the pilot’s family. “When we first heard the news, we were all shocked. First of all, we did not realise that he is our Smit. We now hear that he has been operated upon and is doing good,” Gandhi said, recalling playing cricket with the pilot in childhood. Janit Shah, a urologist and a neighbour of the pilot’s family in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, said Machchhar was able to avert a tragedy because of “muscle memory” even after being stabbed. “Smit is a really nice person, a kind-hearted one and a very mature person,” he said. The doctor said Machchhar is very good at quick decisions.

 

He has been training pilots and has an academy of his own, and that his “muscle memory” might have helped him handle the situation even after being stabbed and save lives. Several residents of Swastik Heights in Ghatkopar, where the pilot’s parents live, said that they were proud of him and were praying for his speedy recovery. Ashok Makwana, chairman of the housing society, and Laxmikant Joshi, both close friends of Machchhar’s father Upendra, said they have been providing support to the family.

 

The two said they remained with the family throughout Wednesday following the incident. The building residents said they planned to give Machchhar a grand welcome and celebrate his return after his recovery. One of the neighbours said the pilot’s actions had helped protect the lives of nearly 180 persons on board the plane and described his response during the incident as an act of great courage. “He risked his own life to save them,” the neighbour said. He said Machchhar’s family was deeply worried about his condition but was also proud of his actions.

 

 

SEVERAL BJP leaders, including Union Minister Rajnath Singh and party chief Nitin Nabin, on Thursday lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his courage in averting disaster by fighting off his co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash the flydubai aircraft carrying 174 passengers. “The nation stands with Captain Smit Machchhar and takes immense pride in his extraordinary courage. Putting his own life on the line, he upheld the highest traditions of duty and service, helping protect the lives of everyone on board,” Rajnath Singh said in a post on X. Nabin said Machchhar had shown the world what “true courage” looks like and pointed out that his actions helped save hundreds of lives. “Stabbed and gravely wounded, he answered the call of duty, placing the safety of others above his own to help stop a deadly attack in mid-air,” Nabin said on X. BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said Machchhar’s extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger is an inspiration to the nation.