{
  "id": 11385732,
  "title": "‘I kept reciting Hanuman Chalisa’: Smit Machchhar recalls flydubai ordeal in call with PM Modi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-kept-reciting-hanuman-chalisa-smit-machchhar-recalls-flydubai-11385732",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T07:22:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - India",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-india",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-flydubai-flight-pm-modi-video-call-hanuman-chalisa-10903578/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who narrowly escaped a potential crash mid-air on a flydubai flight, recounted how reciting the Hanuman Chalisa helped him stay calm during the harrowing ordeal. In a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Smit revealed that whenever he faced pain, he repeatedly recited the prayer. \"At that time too, I only kept reciting the Hanuman Chalisa,\" he told the Prime Minister.\n\nModi expressed his admiration for Smit's courage, presence of mind, and composure, stating that these qualities had saved several lives. He praised the pilot's actions, saying, \"The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjay Jaap is being done for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and composure saved many lives.\"\n\nSmit expressed his emotional state during the call, admitting that speaking with the Prime Minister was a dream come true. The Prime Minister also took a moment to commend Smit's mother, Geeta Ben, for raising him with the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘I kept reciting Hanuman Chalisa’: Smit Machchhar recalls flydubai ordeal in call with PM Modi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-kept-reciting-hanuman-chalisa-smit-machchhar-recalls-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-02T07:22:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}