MUMBAI: Celebrations were held outside Indian Captain Smit Machchhar’s residence in Mumbai on Thursday, with friends and family gathering to honour the pilot and hail him as a “real hero” after he helped avert a major mid-air tragedy involving a flydubai flight.People gathered outside Machchhar’s residence carrying the Indian national flag and his photographs, news agency ANI reported.Supporters were seen saluting and raising slogans in his praise as they expressed admiration for the Indian captain.Speaking to ANI, Captain Smit Machchhar’s friend said, “As fellow neighbours and Indians, this is a moment of great pride for us. We sincerely wish him well and hope for his speedy recovery. Naturally, his family has been concerned about his health, and we are awaiting the latest update on his condition.”“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,” the pilot’s friend said.Spaking to PTI, Gandhi, who recalled playing cricket with Smit in childhood as his next-door neighbour added, “We have not heard any other news from his family. They are not here. Everyone is staying in Dubai.”A neighbour of Captain Smit Machchhar said, “It is a matter of immense pride for us that our son has brought honour to the country on the global stage. Saving the lives of 174 people is a remarkable achievement, and we believe he deserves the country’s highest honour.”Speaking to IANS, he said, “We are deeply proud of his courage and selflessness in risking his own life to save so many passengers. We hope he makes a speedy recovery. We are praying for his well-being and salute him wholeheartedly.”Special prayers were offered at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple for the health and speedy recovery of Flydubai ‘Hero’ Captain Smit Machchhar.Devotees prayed for his well-being and long life.The celebrations came after Machchhar received appreciation from the country’s top leadership for his actions during the emergency aboard the flydubai flight.President Droupadi Murmu said the nation was proud of Machchhar and praised his “heroic courage and incredible presence of mind” during the incident.“The nation is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. His heroic courage and incredible presence of mind have deeply touched us all,” Murmu said in a post on X.She said that despite being seriously injured in a moment of grave peril, Machchhar remained determined to protect the lives of others.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machchhar, describing him as a hero and highlighting his courage despite sustaining serious injuries.“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” Modi said in a post on X, adding that his valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy. He also wished Machchhar a speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu praised Machchhar’s bravery following the cockpit incident and said people across the world were proud of the Indian captain.Machchhar’s actions came after a serious cockpit incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.The Indian captain sustained injuries during the incident but remained involved in efforts to ensure the safety of those aboard the aircraft.The flight was subsequently diverted and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
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The incident triggered widespread appreciation for Machchhar, with leaders and public figures highlighting his courage, presence of mind and commitment to passenger safety.
