New Delhi: The Keralam Postal Circle on Friday released a commemorative postal cover honouring Flydubai Indian captain Smit Machchhar, who displayed exceptional courage during an attack aboard his aircraft. Despite suffering severe injuries, Machchhar helped prevent an attempt to seize control of the flight, protecting the lives of 174 people on board.
In a post on X, the Keralam Postal Circle said the cover honoured Machchhar for his actions during the September 30 incident involving a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite his wounds, the captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker before the aircraft was diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The cover was released by Amitabh Singh, chief postmaster general of the Kerala Circle, at a function attended by Thiruvananthapuram mayor, VV Rajesh; and deputy mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, Asha Nath GS; Machchhar’s father, Bhupendra Machchhar, and other family members joined the event through videoconferencing.
The organizers described the tribute as the first postal honour of its kind for Machchhar in India. A separate commemorative cover titled “Safai Mitras – Guardians of Sanitation” was also released to recognize sanitation workers for their contribution to public health and cleanliness.
Recognition in India and abroad
The postal tribute comes amid growing recognition of Machchhar’s courage internationally. The Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, has announced that the Indian pilot will receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism after recovering from his injuries, acknowledging his role in preventing a potentially catastrophic incident.
The Gujarat government has also announced the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award for Machchhar, along with a cash prize of ₹25 lakh. The honour recognizes his courage and determination in protecting passengers during the cockpit attack.
Meanwhile, in the United States, House Resolution 1612 was introduced to honour Machchhar, the flight crew and passengers who intervened during the incident. The resolution was referred to the house foreign affairs committee.
The latest recognition from the Keralam Postal Circle adds to the tributes being paid to Machchhar for his actions under extreme circumstances. His efforts helped the aircraft reach safety, preventing further harm to those on board.