FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Friday, 02 October 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE EDITORIAL Journalism’s test WORLD Page 9 Page 8 New Delhi, 1 October C aptain Smit Machchhar, the Flydubai pilot who fought off an apparent attempt by his copilot to crash the Israel-bound plane on Wednesday, has been hailed as a hero, with his actions to thwart what could have been a disaster drawing praise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called Captain Machchhar a “hero”, Page 16 Page 11 Captain Machchhar hailed for averting 9/11-like attack STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE India bag six medals on Day 12, tally rises to 66 Hegseth announces new drone command, 20 pc cut in generals Gandhi’s ideas have found expression under Modi saying his extraordinary courage in confronting the violent attack helped prevent what could have been another 9/11-like aviation tragedy and save the lives of 174 people on board. In a post on social media platform X, Mr Modi said Capt. Machchhar had displayed “the highest form of courage” by confronting the danger despite the threat to his own life. “Without fearing for his own life, he fought valiantly and prevented another 9/11 like attack from happening. 140 crore Indians salute Captain Smit and are praying for his well-being,” Mr Modi wrote. Mr Modi also spoke over the phone with the wife and parents of Captain Machchhar. Hailing Capt. Machchhar, President Droupadi Murmu in a post on X, said: “The nation is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. His heroic courage and incredible presence of mind have deeply touched us all.” Political leaders from across the spectrum also praised Capt. Machchhar, among them Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Capt. Machchhar, describing his actions as instrumental in preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. Capt. Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk after the aircraft landed. He underwent surgery and was later shifted to Abu Dhabi. ‘As a pilot I was simply doing my duty’ Mumbai: Displaying extraordinary grit and courage, Mumbai-born Captain Smit Machchhar, a resident of Bhanushali Wadi in Ghatkopar, saved the lives of over 170 passengers by thwarting an alleged mid-air hijacking and crash attempt by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight. Captain Machchhar remained remarkably humble while giving his reaction UNI. “As a pilot, I was simply doing my duty. The plane landed safely, and everyone is out of harm's way-that is all I am grateful for,” Capt. Machchhar, who, wounded, fought back, managed to trigger emergency protocols, and unlocked the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to overpower the attacker, and stabilise the aircraft, said. CM Adhikari calls out Humayun Kabir for ‘death wish’ comments STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 1 October Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder and MLA Humayun Kabir and the Trinamul Congress while campaigning for BJP candidate Shakharav Sarkar in the Rejinagar Assembly constituency. Taking a swipe at Mr Kabir, who was elected from Naoda, Mr Adhikari questioned what the MLA had achieved for his constituency during the past five months. “Humayun Sahib went to the Assembly from Naoda. What has he given the people of Naoda in these five months? He could not even lay a single brick. He will not be able to do so in the next 55 months either,” he said. The Chief Minister also targeted Mr Kabir over his recent remarks wishing for his death. “Political battles take place and will continue. There will be exchanges, arguments, discussions and criticism. One will win and another will lose. But Humayun Sahib is saying that every Friday he prays for me to go to the Almighty soon, like Ajit Pawar. Even if someone is my political adversary, I do not use such language,” Mr Adhikari said. Mr Kabir had reportedly said on Sunday that he would pray for Mr Adhikari to leave the world soon and that his “ticket to the above” should be booked quickly. Mr Adhikari called Mr Kabir a “traitor” and said the people of Rejinagar would decide his political fate. Finance Ministry sees India’s 2nd quarter growth at 7.3 per cent New Delhi: India’s economy is expected to grow by 7.3 per cent in the second quarter of FY27, supported by resilient domestic demand and investment, but higher oil prices, global financial conditions pose challenges to sustaining momentum, the Ministry of Finance said in its Monthly Economic Review for September 2026. The review noted that after recording 7.8 per cent growth in the first quarter, the economy appears to have sustained the growth in the second quarter. However, it cautioned that India cannot take its growth performance for granted as geopolitical polarisation and disruptions across global supply chains intensify. Page 12