Mankind Pharma has announced ₹1 crore contribution to Captain Smit Machchhar and his family, describing the gesture as an expression of gratitude for his courage and leadership during what the company called an “unimaginable crisis”.
The pharmaceutical company announced it through a statement on LinkedIn. Along with the post, it also shared a letter from its Vice Chairman and Managing Director Rajeev Juneja, in which he praised Machchhar for putting his crew and passengers before himself.
“Some acts of courage stay with an entire nation,” said. “In a moment of unimaginable crisis, #CaptSmitMachchhar showed composure and responsibility, and put his crew and every passenger before himself.”
The company said the contribution was its “humble expression of gratitude” and added, “Capt. Smit, you have made India proud. We salute you.”
Juneja, while reposting Mankind Pharma’s statement, wrote that the company believed that pride and appreciation should translate into meaningful action.
“When we witness an act of extraordinary courage and our hearts are filled with pride, we have a choice: let that emotion pass with time, or turn it into meaningful action,” Juneja said.
He said the company decided to support after seeing news about his actions, adding that Mankind wanted to go beyond praising his courage and “stand behind our words with meaningful action”.
“Because emotions fade, but actions leave a lasting impact,” Juneja said.
According to Juneja, the ₹1 crore contribution is Mankind Pharma’s way of conveying that it recognises Machchhar’s courage and stands with him and his family.
In the letter addressed to Machchhar, Juneja described him as “a hero of our times” and said his courage, composure and sense of responsibility had touched people in India and around the world.
Juneja said Machchhar demonstrated leadership at a time when fear and pressure were high and the lives of passengers and crew depended on his decisions.
“A leader is not tested when everything is going well. The real test comes in a moment of extreme crisis, when fear is natural, pressure is immense, and the lives of so many people depend on your decisions,” he wrote.
He said Machchhar had thought about his crew and passengers and taken responsibility for the lives entrusted to him.
“No amount of money can ever equal the value of the lives you protected or the inspiration you have given to millions,” Juneja wrote, describing the ₹1 crore contribution as a “small expression” of the company’s respect, gratitude and admiration.
He concluded the letter by thanking Machchhar for putting others before himself and for “reminding all of us that, even in the most difficult moments, humanity must always come first”.
Machchhar was reportedly stabbed with a knife by his co-pilot on the flight from UAE to Israel on Wednesday in an apparent act of hijack. Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door by activating the door release. This allowed the crew members and passengers to enter the cockpit and overpower the attacker.
The flight carrying 174 passengers was later diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had a telephonic conversation with Machchhar on Friday. PM Modi praised his courage and presence of mind during the incident.
