Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Captain Smit Machchhar Recalls Hanuman Chalisa During Mid-Air Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was on a flight when a mid-air attack happened.
He was injured during the frightening event.
To feel calmer, he recited the Hanuman Chalisa.
This is a Hindu prayer about Lord Hanuman.
The prayer describes Hanuman as brave, strong, wise and devoted.
Many people recite it when they feel scared or worried.
Tuesday and Saturday are traditional days for reciting it.
However, people may pray with it on any day.
Captain Smit Machchhar said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during a mid-air attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
The flydubai pilot described the hymn as something he turns to when afraid or in pain.
Machchhar shared his account during a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Hanuman Chalisa is a Hindu devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman and written by Tulsidas in Awadhi.
Devotees associate the hymn with courage, strength, wisdom, devotion and spiritual reassurance.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, a flydubai pilot, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Machchhar recounted reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during a mid-air attack in which he was injured.
- When
- During the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and a later video call with Narendra Modi; no specific dates were provided.
- Where
- Aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, followed by a video call with the prime minister.
- Why
- Machchhar said he recites the hymn when he feels afraid or is in pain, using it for emotional reassurance.
- Person involved
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Flight
- Dubai-Tel Aviv flight operated by flydubai
- Incident
- Machchhar was injured during a mid-air attack
- Devotional text
- Hanuman Chalisa
- Author
- Poet-saint Tulsidas
- Language
- Awadhi
- Traditional recitation days
- Tuesday and Saturday