CM Bhajan Lal hails Captain Smit Machchhar's UAE Order of Zayed II honour
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma praised Captain Smit Machchhar of Flydubai after the UAE conferred on him the Order of Zayed II (First Class) for saving over 170 passengers, calling it a moment of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Captain Smit Machchhar of Flydubai has been awarded the Order of Zayed II (First Class) by the UAE for saving over 170 passengers.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma publicly congratulated Captain Machchhar and the entire Flydubai crew on 28 October 2026 .
The Order of Zayed II is one of the UAE's most prestigious civilian honours, named after founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The honour reflects the strong India-UAE people-to-people relationship , underpinned by the CEPA signed in 2022 and a diaspora of over 3.5 million Indians in the UAE.
Indian state leaders regularly amplify Gulf-based honours to nationals, framing individual achievements as expressions of national character and competence.
When a pilot saves more than 170 lives mid-air, the world takes notice — and so does the United Arab Emirates. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 congratulated Captain Smit Machchhar of Flydubai, who has been conferred the prestigious Order of Zayed II (First Class) by the UAE for his extraordinary courage in saving the lives of over 170 passengers.
In his post, CM Sharma wrote: 'अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भारतीयों के साहस, प्रतिभा और कर्तव्यनिष्ठा को सम्मान मिलना प्रत्येक देशवासी के लिए गर्व का विषय है' — 'It is a matter of pride for every Indian when the courage, talent and dedication of Indians is recognised at the international level.' The Chief Minister described the honour as 'international recognition of Captain Machchhar's remarkable contribution' and extended warm congratulations to both the captain and the entire Flydubai crew.
The Order of Zayed II and what it means
The Order of Zayed II is one of the UAE's most distinguished civilian honours, named after the nation's founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Awarded in multiple classes, the First Class designation marks an exceptional level of recognition — typically reserved for acts of distinguished service that reflect the highest values of duty and humanity. For an Indian aviation professional serving with a Dubai-based carrier to receive it underscores the depth of people-to-people ties between the two nations.
An Indian crew member at the heart of India-UAE people ties
Flydubai, the Dubai government-owned low-cost airline, operates an extensive network across the region and employs a significant number of Indian nationals among its flight and cabin crew. Captain Machchhar's recognition is the latest in a long line of moments where Indian professionals in the Gulf have drawn global attention — and official praise from New Delhi and state capitals alike.
The backdrop matters: India and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, deepening trade, investment and people-to-people links. Mutual honours in civil and defence fields have since become a recurring feature of the relationship, and statements like CM Sharma's help reinforce the soft-power narrative around Indian competence and character abroad.
Over 3.5 million Indians live and work in the UAE, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world. Every time one of them earns a high honour, Indian leaders have made a practice of amplifying the moment — framing it not merely as an individual achievement but as proof of a collective national character.
Captain Machchhar's story — whatever the precise circumstances — carries the universal weight of a professional who chose duty over hesitation when lives were on the line. That the UAE chose to honour that choice with its highest civilian award speaks for itself.
Point of View
Moments like this give political heft to the 'people-to-people' dimension that official communiqués rarely capture vividly. For Sharma, a BJP leader in a state with a significant migrant-worker community, publicly celebrating an Indian professional's international recognition carries both symbolic and constituency value. The broader signal is clear: India's global reputation increasingly travels on the shoulders of its professionals abroad, and its politicians know it.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who serves with Flydubai, the Dubai government-owned airline. He was awarded the UAE's Order of Zayed II (First Class) for saving the lives of more than 170 passengers.
What is the Order of Zayed II award?
The Order of Zayed II is one of the United Arab Emirates' highest civilian honours, named after the nation's founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The First Class designation represents the most distinguished level of the award.
Why did Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulate Captain Smit Machchhar?
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated Captain Machchhar because the UAE conferred on him the prestigious Order of Zayed II (First Class) for his exceptional bravery in saving over 170 lives, calling it a matter of pride for every Indian.
What is Flydubai and how many Indians work there?
Flydubai is a Dubai government-owned low-cost airline operating regional and international routes. It employs a significant number of Indian nationals among its flight and cabin crew, reflecting the large Indian diaspora in the UAE.
What is the India-UAE relationship in terms of people-to-people ties?
More than 3.5 million Indians live and work in the UAE, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora communities globally. The two nations signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022 to deepen trade, investment and people-to-people links.
