During a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, Captain Smith Machhar shared strong emotions while recalling the dramatic moments of the incident and named him his idol.
The Prime Minister replied that his bravery turned Smith into a global hero, and people around the world are praying for his recovery.
After bleeding on the cabin floor following an attack by his second pilot, Captain Smith Machhar stated that his thoughts were focused on saving all 174 passengers while the attacker desperately tried to crash the plane. Drawing strength from the Hanuman Chalisa, he made a final attempt to open the cabin door, which allowed others to subdue the attacker and guide the plane to a safe location.
Modi noted that Smith's courage made him a global hero, and that people worldwide are praying for his health, demonstrating that Indians save lives rather than taking them. Modi stated: 'You have enhanced the prestige of 1.4 billion Indians,' adding, 'You saved everyone. You did a very big job.'