Our hearts stopped: Smit Machchhar's family recalls moment they heard about attack

For Captain Smit Machchhar's family in Maharashtra's Akola, the reported cockpit attack was not simply a story of a pilot facing danger in the air. It was a terrifying wait for news about their nephew as they feared for his life and the safety of hundreds of passengers on board.

Machchhar's maternal family lives in Akola's Kaulkhed area. His mother, Geetaben, grew up in the city and studied at Mungilal Bajoria School. Her childhood memories and family ties remain connected to Akola.

When the family learnt that Machchhar had faced an attack in the cockpit but continued carrying out his responsibility, relatives said they were overwhelmed with emotion.

According to the family, Machchhar recited the Hanuman Chalisa to keep himself composed during the crisis and continued trying to keep the aircraft safe.

For his relatives, the episode brought together fear, helplessness and pride.

Machchhar's maternal uncles said the first reaction was one of shock when they received the news about the cockpit attack.

His eldest maternal uncle, Deepak Jogi, recalled the moment he learnt what had happened.

"When my sister called and we came to know that Machchhar had been attacked in the cockpit, we were completely stunned," Jogi said.

But the family's fear soon gave way to pride when they learnt that Machchhar had not given up and had continued fighting to protect the passengers.

"When we learnt that he did not lose courage and remained determined to save the lives of the passengers, we felt proud of our nephew," Jogi said.

The Jogi family in Kolkhed includes Machchhar's three maternal uncles, Deepak Jogi, Rajendra Jogi and Suresh Jogi, his aunt Sangeeta and his maternal cousin Khushi.HANUMAN CHALISA DURING CRISIS

According to his family, Machchhar turned to the Hanuman Chalisa as he dealt with the crisis inside the cockpit.

Relatives said he kept reciting the prayer while trying to steady himself and continue with his responsibility of keeping the aircraft and passengers safe.

For the family, the moment carried both pain and pride.

They said knowing that Machchhar had remained focused despite the danger was deeply emotional, particularly because they were receiving the news from far away and could do little but wait for an update on his safety.RELIEF CAME WITH NEWS OF SAFE ARRIVAL

The family's biggest relief came when Machchhar reached Dubai safely from Mumbai and they received confirmation that he was safe.

Deepak Jogi said the news brought an immediate sense of relief after the family's anxiety.

"When we received the news that he was safe, only then did we feel relieved. Our nephew is safe, and that is the biggest thing for us," he said.

The family's emotions shifted from fear to relief and happiness after learning that Machchhar had reached Dubai safely.

For the Jogi family, his ordeal remains a deeply personal memory, linking a moment of danger in the cockpit with the family home in Akola, where relatives waited anxiously for news of their nephew.- Ends