Gujarat is honouring its hero. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced that Captain Smit Machchhar — the flydubai pilot who saved 174 lives after being stabbed mid-air — will be conferred the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his extraordinary courage. The announcement comes as the 39-year-old pilot was discharged from hospital in Saudi Arabia after surgery and airlifted to Dubai, where he continues his recovery.
The Smit Machchhar Gujarat Garima Award news has made the pilot the most talked-about Indian of the week — praised by PM Narendra Modi, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and even US President Donald Trump within days of the incident.
What Is the Smit Machchhar Gujarat Garima Award?
The Smit Machchhar Gujarat Garima Award announcement came on October 1, in a post written in Gujarati on X, where CM Patel said the state government would honour Captain Machchhar with the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ (Distinguished Gujarat Garima Award) for displaying ‘adamya sahas’ — indomitable courage — despite being drenched in blood from the mid-air attack.
“This valiant son of Gujarat has illuminated the name of Gujarat and the nation across the globe through his heroism. The Gujarati spirit flowing in his veins fills us all with immense pride,” Patel wrote. He added that all of Gujarat is praying for the pilot’s swift recovery.
In a separate post, the Chief Minister revealed that special prayers are being held at the Somnath Temple — the first Jyotirlinga — for Machchhar’s recovery, including a special Mahapuja and ‘Ayushya Mantra Jaap Anushthan’ joined by the collective prayers of the state.
Discharged After Surgery, Airlifted to Dubai
There is good news on the medical front too. After undergoing emergency surgery at a military hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia — where flight FZ-1073 made its emergency landing — Captain Machchhar was discharged and airlifted to Dubai on October 2 to continue his long-term treatment.
India’s Embassy in the UAE has said the pilot is “in good health and recovering well.” His parents, who live in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, flew to Abu Dhabi and then Dubai to be with him, along with his cousin Bhavik — himself a flydubai pilot.
The Man Behind the Uniform
The details emerging about Smit Machchhar paint a picture of quiet dedication. Originally from Wadhwan in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district (his grandfather moved the family to Mumbai decades ago), he first studied textile engineering in Mumbai before following his true calling — training as a pilot in New Zealand and completing his Boeing 737 type rating at Manesar.
He spent over 11 years with SpiceJet before joining flydubai as a captain in June 2022, logging more than 9,500 flying hours. Aviation runs in the family: his brother is also a flydubai pilot. He lives in Dubai with his wife Sonal and their two children — seven-year-old daughter Diva and 18-month-old son Krishay.
His aunt told the Ahmedabad Mirror that the family is devout Krishna followers, and Smit begins every morning folding his hands before the ‘Lalo’ avatar of Lord Krishna. Former colleagues describe him as calm, decent and hardworking — “a good person,” as one senior pilot put it.
A Hero Saluted Across the World
PM Modi’s tribute said it all: “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.”
Israel’s Netanyahu saluted him for saving 174 people “including Israeli citizens,” noting how the bleeding pilot fought back, opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Donald Trump joined the chorus of praise.
For the full account of what happened aboard flight FZ-1073 on September 30 — the stabbing, the steep plunge and the door that saved everyone — read our detailed report. Meanwhile, the demand for India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour, the Ashok Chakra, continues to grow, with Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora formally writing to the PM.
The UAE has launched a formal investigation into the cockpit attack. But whatever the inquiry finds, one fact is already written in stone: 174 people are alive today because a pilot from Gujarat refused to give up. The Smit Machchhar Gujarat Garima Award is the least a grateful state could do.
Sources: The Times of India, Ahmedabad Mirror.
How is Captain Smit Machchhar's health now?
He was discharged after emergency surgery at a military hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and airlifted to Dubai on October 2. India's Embassy in the UAE says he is in good health and recovering well.
Who is Smit Machchhar?
A 39-year-old Mumbai (Ghatkopar) pilot of Gujarati origin. He joined flydubai as a captain in June 2022 after 11+ years with SpiceJet and has logged over 9,500 flying hours.
What happened on flydubai flight FZ-1073?
On September 30, 2026, his Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed him mid-air in an attempt to crash the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight. Despite serious wounds, Machchhar opened the cockpit door so crew and passengers could overpower the attacker; the plane diverted to Tabuk and all 174 people survived.
Which world leaders praised Smit Machchhar?
PM Narendra Modi called him a "HERO", Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu saluted his bravery, and US President Donald Trump also praised him.
