Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight, spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday from his hospital bed.

During the video call, PM Modi praised Captain Machchhar for his actions during the incident and said that despite being seriously injured, he had remained focused on protecting the passengers.

“You had such a big wound on your body, you yourself were fighting for life and death. At that time, you did not care for your life, you cared for the lives of all the travellers,” PM Modi told the pilot, according to the report.

The incident occurred aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to the earlier report, the co-pilot allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft before stabbing Captain Machchhar, who fought back and opened the cockpit door.

This allowed passengers and crew members to overpower the attacker. Two other relief pilots who were seated at the back subsequently took control of the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Captain Machchhar sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital after the aircraft landed. PM Modi had also spoken to his wife and parents on Thursday and assured them that Indian missions would provide all possible assistance to the family.

The flydubai pilot has been praised by PM Modi and other officials for his actions during the emergency. PM Modi had described Captain Machchhar as a “hero” and said his courage helped avert a major tragedy.

The latest conversation took place as Captain Machchhar continued recovering in hospital following the cockpit attack.

The Election Commission has directed election authorities to launch a special enrolment drive for voters whose names were left out during or after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 20 states and Union territories.

The Commission said SIR has already been completed in 20 states and UTs, including Bihar and West Bengal. It has asked Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers to facilitate the enrolment of eligible voters through the process of continuous updation.

The move also covers young and first-time voters who are eligible for inclusion in the electoral rolls.

How left-out voters can seek inclusion

According to the Election Commission, a person whose name was left out during SIR or thereafter can approach the concerned Electoral Registration Officer for inclusion in the electoral roll under the continuous updation process.

The Commission has directed the respective election officials to immediately begin a special drive to facilitate enrolment of such electors.

The initiative is also intended to provide an enrolment route for eligible young and first-time voters.

Goa example cited by Election Commission

The Election Commission cited steps taken in Goa as an example of efforts to reach voters who were left out.

It said the Chief Electoral Officer in Goa had directed Booth Level Officers to conduct house-to-house visits to left-out voters to collect their forms. According to the Commission, 81 of 97 voters had already filled Form 6 for inclusion.

The Commission said the special drive follows its September 26 meeting and has the approval of the full Commission.

The ECI has also said that the final figure of electors will be known only after the final publication of electoral rolls in the remaining 12 states covered under Phase III of SIR.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary and said the Mahatma’s timeless message would continue to guide people towards building a better society and a developed India.

In a post on X, PM Modi said Mahatma Gandhi’s life represented the values of truth, non-violence, compassion and service. He said these principles would continue to guide humanity across generations.

“May Bapu’s timeless message keep guiding us towards a better society and a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi recalls Gandhi’s message

In a video message, PM Modi said the significance of Gandhi’s birth anniversary for the nation was known to everyone. He said Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology had inspired people across the world.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Gandhi’s influence despite his distance from political power, saying the freedom movement leader continued to have a place in the hearts of millions.

PM Modi said he believed Gandhi’s ideology would continue to guide and inspire humanity in the years to come.

PM Modi appeals for Swadeshi and Khadi

The Prime Minister also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on the use of Swadeshi products. He said Gandhi had consistently encouraged people to adopt Swadeshi and highlighted Khadi as an important part of that effort.

PM Modi appealed to people to purchase at least one Khadi product on October 2 and promote the idea of Swadeshi.

“Mahatma Gandhi always encouraged everyone to adopt ‘Swadeshi’. In this process, Khadi remains a top priority,” he said.

He further urged people to proudly identify their purchase as Swadeshi.

Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar. His birth anniversary is observed on October 2.

Gandhi was assassinated in Delhi on January 30, 1948.

On his birth anniversary, PM Modi recalled Gandhi’s ideals of truth, non-violence, compassion and service, while saying that his message would continue to have relevance for humanity.