CM Fadnavis Hails Captain Smit Machchhar's Courage After PM Modi Call
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis praised Captain Smit Machchhar, a Mumbai naval officer who chanted the Hanuman Chalisa during a life-saving crisis at sea. PM Modi personally called Machchhar, who told the PM: 'You are my biggest idol.' Fadnavis prayed for the officer's speedy recovery.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi personally called Captain Smit Machchhar to hear his account of the crisis at sea.
Captain Machchhar told PM Modi: 'You are my biggest idol.
I feel proud of the way you are encouraging me today.' Machchhar reportedly chanted the Hanuman Chalisa during the critical moments of the incident.
His composure and presence of mind are credited with saving many lives during the ordeal.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis described Machchhar's bravery as a source of immense pride for Mumbai and the nation.
Fadnavis prayed for Captain Machchhar's speedy recovery, indicating the officer is still recuperating.
A Navy officer's quiet recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa during a crisis at sea has become a story the nation cannot stop retelling. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, October 2, 2026, expressed deep admiration for Captain Smit Machchhar — Mumbai's own — after Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called the officer to hear his account of the harrowing ordeal firsthand.
Fadnavis wrote that it was 'truly heartening' to witness the Prime Minister speak with the officer, describing the exchange as a deeply touching moment. Captain Machchhar reportedly told the Prime Minister: 'You are my biggest idol. I feel proud of the way you are encouraging me today' — a line that resonated well beyond the call itself.
Hanuman Chalisa at Sea: What Captain Smit Recounted
According to the Chief Minister's post, Captain Machchhar shared that he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa during the most critical moments of the incident. His composure and presence of mind, Fadnavis noted, directly helped save many lives. The detail cuts through the noise: a sailor, under extreme duress, steadied himself through prayer and came out the other side with lives intact.
Fadnavis described Captain Machchhar's spirit and bravery as 'a source of immense pride for Mumbai and the entire nation.' The Chief Minister closed with a personal prayer for the officer's speedy recovery, signalling that Machchhar is still recuperating from the experience.
Mumbai Claims Its Brave Son
By invoking Mumbai explicitly, Fadnavis placed the tribute firmly in the city's proud maritime identity — a port city whose sons and daughters have long served at sea and in uniform. The Prime Minister's direct outreach to a field-level officer carries symbolic weight: it frames individual bravery as something the nation's highest office stops to acknowledge personally. That gesture, as much as the heroism itself, is what Fadnavis chose to amplify.
The nation's prayers, the Chief Minister said, remain with Captain Smit Machchhar as he recovers. A city watches. A country waits for more details — and in the meantime, a sailor's calm in a storm has already written itself into the public memory.
Point of View
National service, and faith — moments that carry both genuine human warmth and significant political resonance. For CM Fadnavis, amplifying this exchange allows Maharashtra and Mumbai to claim ownership of a national hero, reinforcing the BJP's dual narrative of muscular patriotism and cultural pride. The detail of the Hanuman Chalisa is not incidental — it ties personal faith to public heroism in a way that travels far on social media. The full facts of the crisis at sea remain officially unconfirmed, which means the political and emotional framing is currently running ahead of the reported record.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?
Captain Smit Machchhar is a naval officer from Mumbai who reportedly helped save many lives during a critical incident at sea. He came to national attention after Prime Minister Modi personally called him to hear about his experience.
What did Captain Smit Machchhar say to PM Modi?
According to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis's post, Captain Machchhar told PM Modi: 'You are my biggest idol. I feel proud of the way you are encouraging me today.'
Why was Captain Smit Machchhar chanting the Hanuman Chalisa?
Captain Machchhar shared that he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa during the most critical moments of the crisis at sea, suggesting it gave him the calm and composure needed to help save lives.
What did CM Devendra Fadnavis say about Captain Machchhar?
CM Fadnavis called Captain Machchhar's spirit and bravery 'a source of immense pride for Mumbai and the entire nation' and prayed for his speedy recovery.
Is Captain Smit Machchhar recovering from the incident?
Yes, CM Fadnavis's post specifically prayed for Captain Machchhar's 'speedy recovery and continued strength,' indicating the officer is still recuperating.
