Delphine Estibeiro –
A powerful appeal has been made to the Government of India to formally recognise the extraordinary courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, an experienced Indian commercial aviation pilot from Gujarat, and Indian seafarers who lost their lives while serving in conflict affected maritime zones such as the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea.
The representation, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu through Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlights the sacrifices of Masters, Chief Engineers, Officers, and Ratings who continued their duties aboard merchant vessels despite missile, drone, and hostile attacks. More than twenty Indian seafarers have reportedly lost their lives in these circumstances.
Captain Machchhar’s bravery — continuing to discharge his responsibilities despite grave injury and security threats — has drawn widespread admiration. Advocates argue his case, and those of other seafarers, deserve the same seriousness accorded to civilian professionals in aviation and other sectors.
“If the nation can recognise exceptional courage in the cockpit, it must also recognise exceptional courage on the bridge, in the engine room and on the working deck of a merchant vessel. A seafarer who knowingly continues his duty in a war‑risk zone, protects his crew and vessel under missile or drone attack, and ultimately sacrifices his life, cannot be treated as merely a casualty of commercial shipping. He is a civilian professional who demonstrated courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty in the service of India’s maritime lifelines. The uniform may be different, the workplace may be different, but the value of human courage cannot be different,” — Mr RP Veettil, Founder & National President, Sailors Union of India (SUI‑BMS)
The Sailors Union of India has urged the government to:
- Examine Captain Machchhar’s case for the Ashoka Chakra or the highest gallantry award.
- Review cases of fallen seafarers in war‑risk zones.
- Consider posthumous recognition for those whose conduct demonstrated exceptional courage.
- Establish a National Memorial to honour Merchant Navy professionals who lost their lives in service.
The appeal stresses that the Merchant Navy must not remain invisible when national honours are discussed. Seafarers sustain India’s trade, energy security, and supply chains across the world’s oceans — often under perilous conditions. Their contribution during the COVID‑19 pandemic, when they maintained global supply chains despite restrictions and personal hardship, is cited as further evidence of their indispensable service.
The call is clear: India must establish a precedent that recognises exceptional courage by civilian maritime professionals, ensuring their sacrifice is remembered with dignity and permanence.
Marex Media