By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Captain Smit Machchhar’s extraordinary courage has also raised a larger question: does his act of bravery merit consideration for the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award?
His case inevitably recalls Neerja Bhanot, who was posthumously conferred the Ashoka Chakra for her courage in saving passengers during the 1986 Pan Am hijacking. Machchhar, despite being seriously wounded during the cockpit attack, helped open the way for passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and regain control of the aircraft.
Whether his actions meet the award’s formal criteria is for the competent authorities to assess, but his bravery has already drawn international recognition.
Meanwhile, Capt Machchhar, who was seriously injured after being stabbed during a cockpit attack aboard a flydubai flight, has said that his health is now “out of danger” and that he is recovering well.
In his first public message since the dramatic incident, Machchhar expressed gratitude to everyone who stood by him, prayed for his recovery and supported him during the difficult period.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood by me, supported me, and kept me in your prayers. I’m grateful to share that my health is now out of danger, and I am recovering well,” Machchhar said.
He thanked people for their prayers, support and good wishes, saying they had meant a great deal to him during the difficult time.
“Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and supported me. I truly appreciate each and every one of you,” he said.
Machchhar was seriously injured after an alleged attack inside the cockpit of flydubai Flight FZ1073 while the aircraft was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to intervene and overpower the attacker.
The aircraft, carrying 174 people, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely. Machchhar was subsequently hospitalised for treatment.
His first message comes after he was hailed for his courage by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The pilot’s message also comes as he continues to recover from the injuries sustained in the cockpit attack, which triggered a dramatic emergency during the flight.
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