Calls for honouring flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar with some of India’s most prestigious awards, including Ashoka Chakra, are growing after his heroic handling of the September 30 in-flight emergency.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora on Friday wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office to award Smit Machchhar with India’s highest civilian award, the Ashoka Chakra, for his bravery on the flydubai flight.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora on Friday wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office to award Smit Machchhar with India’s highest civilian award, the Ashoka Chakra, for his bravery. It therefore urged the PMO to consider him for a national bravery award.
He said that as a citizen of Mumbai, he was proud of the flydubai captain being from the same city. Deora said that the award recognises “most conspicuous bravery” and acts of daring, pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy. “I therefore respectfully request that the Government of India consider Captain Smit Machchhar for the Ashoka Chakra in recognition of his extraordinary act of bravery,” he urged. It said that despite his serious injuries, Smit Machchhar continued to command flydubai flight FZ1073, which then landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The FIP said Captain Smit maintained control of the aircraft and made critical decisions while seriously injured.
