MP urges PM Modi to award Ashok Chakra to injured flydubai pilot

Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Milind Deora has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to confer the Ashok Chakra on Captain Machchhar, a pilot with the Dubai-based airline flydubai, citing exceptional acts of bravery and sacrifice.

In his written appeal to the Prime Minister, Deora highlighted Captain Machchhar's extraordinary commitment to duty, noting that the pilot placed the safety of passengers and crew above his own wellbeing. According to the submission, Machchhar continued to perform critical functions despite suffering serious injuries during the incident, demonstrating the kind of exceptional courage the nation's highest peacetime decoration recognizes.

The Ashok Chakra, instituted in 1998, is bestowed upon civilians for exceptional bravery or devotion to duty in peacetime. The award carries significant national prestige and is conferred annually by the President of India on Republic Day and Independence Day.

The recommendation comes as recognition of actions that exemplify the values of selflessness and duty that India honors through its highest civilian gallantry awards. The proposal now enters the consideration process within the government's awards framework.