Gujarat announces state honour for pilot Smit Machchhar

The Gujarat government will honour pilot Smit Machchhar with the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for his bravery during the Flydubai cockpit incident. Meanwhile, the Somnath temple held special prayers and began a Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa ritual for his recovery

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government on Thursday announced that Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who thwarted his co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight despite being stabbed, will be honoured with the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his bravery.

Captain Machchhar, who is being treated in Saudi Arabia, has been widely praised for his actions during the incident, which helped save the lives of passengers on board.

---

A special prayer was also organised at the famous Somnath temple for his speedy recovery.

“The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the flight headed to Israel, is being saluted by the entire world today. Despite being drenched in blood due to the attack, he displayed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers — a feat that is profoundly inspiring and commendable,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said in a post on X.

“This valiant son of Gujarat has brought glory to the state of Gujarat and the nation across the globe through his heroism. The Gujarati spirit flowing in his veins fills us all with immense pride,” he said.

To honour his “extraordinary act of bravery and humanity”, the state will confer the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ on Machchhar, Patel announced.

“The entire state is praying for his swift recovery. The empathy and prayers of the nation’s citizens are with him,” he said.

Officials said Machchhar is from Gujarat, though his family had shifted to Mumbai long ago.

Meanwhile, a special prayer was held at the Somnath temple for the pilot’s health and long life, while the shrine management initiated a ‘Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa’ ritual.

“The Somnath temple trust has organised a special grand worship for the health and long life of the nation’s pride, brave pilot Smit Machchhar,” the temple said in a post on X, along with a video of the prayers.

“During the flight to Tel Aviv, displaying indomitable courage, wisdom and unparalleled dedication to duty, he foiled a cruel conspiracy like 9/11 and saved precious lives,” it said.

In another post on X, Patel tagged the Somnath temple’s prayer post and said, “From Lord Somnath, the God of Gods, we pray that He swiftly restores our valiant hero to full health and grants him long life.”