Key Points
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Air India Captain Smit, who is currently recovering in a hospital from injuries sustained during a flight emergency.
- The Prime Minister lauded the pilot’s courage, patience, and quick decision-making, stating that his actions saved many lives and brought pride to the nation.
- Captain Smit shared his experience of the incident, explaining that despite his own life-threatening injuries, his primary focus was the safety of the passengers.
- PM Modi expressed his gratitude to the governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the exceptional medical care provided to the pilot.
- The conversation highlighted the pilot’s spiritual strength and the resilience of his family during the crisis.
Full Transcript (English)
PM Modi: Namaste, Smit.
Smit: Namaste, Sir.
PM Modi: How are you? How is your health now?
Smit: Everything is fine, Sir. Everything is fine.
PM Modi: Look, the whole country is praying for you. Prayers of Mahamrityunjaya are being chanted everywhere. Your courage, your patience, and your quick judgment in a fraction of a second saved so many lives. Today, the whole country can say with pride that we Indians are not those who take lives, but those who save them. Even when you had such a major injury on your body and were fighting a battle between life and death, you did not care for your own life; you cared for the lives of all the passengers. Most importantly, you have increased the pride of 1.4 billion countrymen. That is why I feel truly proud from the bottom of my heart.
PM Modi: Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with Bhupendra-bhai, Gita-ben, and Sonal-ben. I couldn’t speak with Java and Bobby. I told Gita-ben that while her name is Gita, she has truly internalized the teachings of Lord Krishna’s Gita and raised Smit with those values. Now, Smit, I want to hear from you.
Smit: Sir, for me… as I was telling others too, you are my biggest idol. Having you call me and encourage me makes me feel very, very proud. At that moment, Sir, I was fighting for my own life. But there was a moment when I realized that if I didn’t do something—because I had already fallen, I had so many wounds that I had fallen to the floor—I thought if I didn’t get up now, I wouldn’t be able to. I have been flying planes for over 17 years with Air India. I have been a Captain for the last 11 years. Even with my eyes closed, I can feel what is happening with the aircraft. When I was on the floor, I felt the aircraft was going down. I knew this was the last push. I told myself, “Smit, do it, the door is right there.” Even then, I was being attacked. I just opened that door, Sir. Then everyone else came, and they all played a very big role. I told them I was doing it to save my life, but at the same time, I knew I couldn’t let all the passengers die. After that, the care and medical attention I have received here in Saudi and from everyone… I don’t think I could have received better care anywhere else. And Sir, I am just trying to stay positive. Whenever I feel scared, only one thing comes to mind: I chant the Hanuman Chalisa. Even at that time, I was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa. I know God saved me. And then your call came… I am really, really proud now. Until now, I didn’t feel proud of myself, but now I do. Sir, I am sorry for crying in front of you.
PM Modi: Smit, if you can’t be emotional in front of me, then where else? I never thought I would get to speak with you. You have done such a great deed. Every citizen of the country, and people around the world, are eager to see you and talk to you. And what you said about the Hanuman Chalisa—I bow to Gita-ben for giving you such values, and to Bhupendra-bhai as well. And I must tell you, when I spoke to Sonal-ben, I was surprised. She was speaking with such composure and courage. I hadn’t imagined she could be so calm in such a situation. As a family, you have truly enhanced the nation’s reputation.
Smit: Sir, every morning when I pray, my two-year-old son sits in my lap and I chant the Hanuman Chalisa with him. This is what I have been taught—that even if we are away from our country, we should not be away from our culture.
PM Modi: That is very true. I also want to heartfully thank the Saudi government and the UAE government for taking such good care of you. Smit, if you ever need anything, I am just a phone call away. Yesterday, I saw people expressing their feelings on social media. They were saying that if this hadn’t happened, who knows what would have befallen India and all the pilots of India. You saved everyone. You have done a truly great thing. When we meet, I will hear the details from you in person, as I don’t want to discuss everything over the phone while you are recovering. Get well soon. The whole country is with you. I don’t want to disturb you for too long. My best wishes are with you. Today is Gandhi Jayanti; you have shown through your actions what non-violence and saving lives truly mean. Jai Shri Krishna. Let’s speak a little in Gujarati now.
Smit: Jai Shri Krishna.
PM Modi: Do Bobby and Java speak Gujarati?
Smit: Yes, Sir, they do. They both speak Gujarati. They learned Gujarati first, then English.
PM Modi: That’s good. Have you been able to meet the children? Did the doctors allow it?
Smit: My elder daughter came, but she got scared seeing me like this. She is very close to me. My younger son is two years old; he wasn’t allowed yet.
PM Modi: Yes, caution is needed right now. But Sonal-ben is a very brave woman. She spoke to me with such composure yesterday. Usually, it’s hard to even talk in such a situation, but there was not a single word of complaint. Bhupendra-bhai and Gita-ben also spoke to me at Mumbai airport yesterday, and they had no complaints either. They only said that God will make everything right.
Smit: Yes, Sir. That is our faith.
PM Modi: Alright then, Jai Shri Krishna. Get well soon, and then we shall meet. God bless you. Jai Hind.
