Akola: For the world, captain Smit Machchhar is a hero who not only survived a mid-air cockpit attack by his co-pilot but also saved over 170 aboard the flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on Sept 30. When word reached his three maternal uncles, who live in Akola, they initially feared for his safety, but that gradually gave way to relief and immense pride as details emerged.Machchhar’s mother, Geetaben, belongs to the Jogi family of Ramdas Peth in Akola. Geetaben’s brothers Deepak, Rajendra and Suresh Jogi share a close bond with the Machchhar family.Rajendra Jogi, who lives in the Kolkhed area of Akola, said Smit has always been down-to-earth and dedicated to whatever he did. That dedication, he believes, later became an important part of Smit’s professional journey. “If a colleague needed help with work, Smit would make sure the task was completed,” he said.In a video call from his hospital bed, Smit told Prime Minister Narendra Modi he kept reciting Hanuman Chalisa during the crisis. He said that when he realised the aircraft was going down, he knew he had to get up despite his injuries because he could not let the passengers die. “When we learnt that Smit, despite his injuries, continued fighting to save the passengers, our fear turned into pride,” the uncles said.BJP MLC Vasant Khandelwal too met Smit’s uncles, aunt and cousin at their Akola residence. Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday that Machchhar was recovering well and remained under excellent medical care.Rajendra remembers Smit as a simple, affectionate and disciplined child. His creativity was another aspect that stood out during his childhood. “Smit was very good at drawing,” said Rajendra.After completing textile engineering, Smit joined his father Upendra, who is also a textile engineer, in the family business. He later pursued an MBA and continued working in the business for some time.But aviation was always on his mind. “At one point, Smit told us that he wanted to become a pilot. Everyone supported him. His mother and father stood firmly behind his decision,” Rajendra said.Smit eventually achieved his dream of becoming a pilot and joined SpiceJet, where he served for 11 years. Around four years ago, he moved to flydubai, said Rajendra.For the family, however, his professional achievements are inseparable from the memories of the boy he once was — the nephew who came home during every holiday, played with children and left behind an emptiness when it was time to go. Rajendra stressed that the entire Jogi family, including his wife Sangeeta and daughter Khushi, too are proud of Smit.
