Garhwa: Renowned cultural activist and Provincial Art Heritage Coordinator of Sanskar Bharati, Jharkhand, Neeraj Shridhar ‘Swargiya’, has paid tribute to the extraordinary courage of Captain Smit Macchar, whose presence of mind and determination reportedly helped avert a major aviation tragedy and protect the lives of 174 passengers aboard a flydubai flight.
In a statement released from Garhwa, Shridhar described Captain Smit’s actions as a rare example of the harmonious blend of faith, duty and courage. He said the pilot’s conduct during the mid-air crisis serves as an inspiration not only for aviation professionals but for society as a whole.
According to reports, the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight faced a grave emergency after a violent incident inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Captain Smit remained committed to his responsibility and played a crucial role in ensuring the aircraft was safely diverted, ultimately helping save the lives of everyone on board.
Highlighting the human and spiritual dimensions of the episode, Shridhar referred to the pilot’s reported conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which Captain Smit said that he was reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during the ordeal and drew strength from his faith.
“Captain Smit’s story is not merely a tale of professional excellence. It is a powerful example of how faith can inspire courage and how devotion to duty can overcome even the most terrifying circumstances,” Shridhar said.
The senior cultural figure observed that such acts of heroism transcend news headlines and become part of a nation’s collective consciousness. As an artist and cultural worker, he said, stories like Captain Smit’s inspire painters, writers, musicians and performers to celebrate values such as sacrifice, resilience and patriotism through their creative works.
“Artists preserve society’s finest moments for future generations. Captain Smit’s courage deserves to be remembered as a symbol of selflessness, determination and service to humanity,” he added.
Shridhar, who also serves as Director of the Pt. Harsh Dwivedi Kala Manch, Nawada, Garhwa, wished the pilot a speedy recovery and said the entire artistic community of Jharkhand stands in admiration of his bravery.
Concluding his tribute, Shridhar remarked: “Faith gave him strength, duty gave him resolve, and courage saved lives. Captain Smit Macchar’s heroism reminds us that ordinary individuals can accomplish extraordinary things when guided by conviction and commitment.”