This undated photo released on Israel’s Foreign Ministry social media shows Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit of a plane in an unknown location
Gandhinagar: Gujarat govt will honour pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for saving the lives of 174 passengers during an attack on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, chief minister Bhupendra Patel said. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh and will be presented at a special felicitation event after Machchhar recovers from injuries sustained in the incident, top govt sources said. 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,” CM said in an X post on Thursday.
Calling Machchhar a “valiant son of Gujarat”, Patel said people were praying for his speedy recovery. The empathy and prayers of the nation’s citizens are with Captain Smit Machchhar,” CM’s post said. Sources said Machchhar’s family moved to Delhi decades ago and that he completed his schooling in Mumbai. Hiren Jogi, a distant relative on Machchhar ’s in-laws’ side in Amreli district, said the family was worried. “Smit is under treatment and we are proud of him,” Jogi said.
A special prayer was also held at Somnath Temple for the pilot’s speedy recovery. The entire state is praying for his speedy recovery. The family owns a textiles business. His in-laws are from Savarkundla town in Amreli district of Saurashtra. The family has lived there for four decades.
“The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the flight headed to Israel, is being saluted by the entire world today.