Chandigarh: Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Saturday announced a ₹25 lakh ‘Smit Machchhar Bravery Award’ to honour Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind during the life-threatening cockpit attack on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Captain Machchhar acted with courage during the incident and helped avert a major tragedy, safeguarding the lives of around 170 passengers.
Sahney seeks Ashoka Chakra for Captain Machchhar
Appreciating Machchhar’s bravery and selflessness, Sahney said such courage represents the finest spirit of India and should inspire the younger generation.
Sahney has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting that Captain Machchhar be considered for the Ashoka Chakra and a national bravery award.
Award to support youth training
Sahney said the initiative would also strengthen efforts to create opportunities for underprivileged youth.
Free skill training is being provided across nearly 20 courses, including aviation, to thousands of youths in Punjab.
As part of the initiative, support was extended for the pilot training of Kulveer Kaur, daughter of an Anganwadi worker from Barnala, enabling her to undergo training in India and South Africa. She is now a commercial pilot.
Sahney announced that the pilot-training programme for economically disadvantaged youth would be further strengthened through scholarships in Captain Smit Machchhar’s name.
The aim, he said, is to turn Machchhar’s act of courage into an enduring source of opportunity and inspiration.
Captain Machchhar has emerged as a symbol of courage and quick action following the cockpit incident, in which he was seriously injured while helping protect passengers aboard the flight.