Maharashtra CM Fadnavis meets Captain Smit Machchhar's uncle and aunt

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has praised Mumbaibased FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage in an incident in which he reportedly helped save the lives of 180 passengers despite sustaining injuriesIn a statement issued by the Chief Ministers office on Thursday October 1 Fadnavis described Captain Smit as a ldquotrue herordquo and congratulated him for displaying exceptional courage in a lifethreatening situationMaharashtra Chief Minister while hailing the captain said ldquoI am proud of Captain Smit son of Mumbai and a true hero Smit saved the lives of hundreds of people in a very extraordinary wayrdquoThe Chief Minister further hailed the pilots preparedness and courage despite being seriously injured was exemplary Fadnavis also praised the passengers for working together during the difficult situationldquoIn difficult times the passengers also worked as a team I salute themrdquo Fadnavis added while wishing Captain Smit a speedy recovery and good healthCalling the pilot an inspiration for young people Fadnavis said Maharashtra and the country were proud of his actionsldquoYour courage is an inspiration to the youth Maharashtra and the country are proud of yourdquo the Chief Minister saidFadnavis meets Captain Smit Machchharrsquos uncle and auntMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday met the uncle and aunt of FlyDubai Captain Smit Machchhar and expressed his appreciation for the pilots actions during a recent midair emergencyA Moment of Pride for Maharashtra and India Met Capt Smit Machchharrsquos uncle and aunt today and expressed my heartfelt appreciation for his extraordinary courage In a moment of grave danger Smit displayed remarkable courage presence of mind and a deep sense ofhellip pictwittercomihhwbrNYaNmdash Devendra Fadnavis Dev_Fadnavis October 1 2026While posting on social media hanldle X Fadnavis wrote Met Capt Smit Machchharrsquos uncle and aunt today and expressed my heartfelt appreciation for his extraordinary courageFadnavis also mentioned that Machchhar displayed courage presence of mind and a sense of responsibility during the emergency helping ensure the safety of those on boardIn a moment of grave danger Smit displayed remarkable courage presence of mind and a deep sense of responsibility helping save the lives of everyone on board Fadnavis further addedHe also said that Machchhars actions during the difficult situation were commendable and said the pilot had made Maharashtra and India proudThe softspoken pilotA former neighbour of Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar in Mumbai has praised the pilot as a talented and softspoken person after reports emerged that he helped save 174 lives despite being seriously injured during an inflight incidentDr Janit Shah who spoke to ANI in Mumbai on Thursday said he had known Machchhar and his family for around 10 to 15 years when they lived in the same neighbourhoodSmit Machchhar is a talented softspoken and good man He was my neighbor for the last 1015 years before he shifted to Dubai 23 years ago Now the story has emerged that he was able to save 174 lives even after being stabbed He is an incredible person and I hope for his fast recovery I hope his family is able to recover from this shock Shah saidFamily receives assistanceMachchhar is currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi ArabiaThe Indian Embassy in Riyadh has said it is in touch with his family and is coordinating with Saudi authorities to provide all possible assistanceEarlier Modi described Machchhar as a hero and praised his courage in protecting those on board despite being seriously injuredIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also praised the Indian pilot for what he described as extraordinary bravery Netanyahu said Machchharrsquos actions helped prevent what could have become a major aviation disaster and said the pilot saved the lives of 174 people including Israeli citizens and other nationalsShah also expressed hope for Machchharrsquos speedy recovery and for his family to overcome the shock following the incident