Anurag Thakur hails Captain Smit Machchar's UAE top honour
Synopsis
BJP MP Anurag Thakur praised Captain Smit Machchar and his Air Dubai crew after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded them the First Class Order of Zayed II for saving 174 lives during a mid-flight attack.
Key Takeaways
Captain Smit Machchar and his Air Dubai crew saved 174 lives after a life-threatening attack on the aircraft at altitude.
The crew was awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , one of the UAE's highest state honours.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur posted his congratulations on October 28, 2026 , opening with a verse from the Hanuman Chalisa.
The recognition underscores the strong India-UAE bilateral relationship and the prominence of Indian professionals in the Gulf.
Thakur described Machchar as 'India's son' ( Bharat ke bete ) who has 'illuminated India's name across the world.'
Thousands of feet above the ground, under attack, Captain Smit Machchar held his nerve — and brought 174 lives home safe. Now, the United Arab Emirates has given that courage its highest formal recognition. BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, took to X to congratulate Captain Machchar and his crew on being conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their extraordinary conduct aboard an Air Dubai flight.
Opening his post with a verse from the Hanuman Chalisa — 'Sankat tein Hanuman chhudawai, man kram bachan dhyan jo lawai' ('Hanuman delivers from crisis those who devote thought, deed, and word to him') — Thakur framed the rescue as a testament to unwavering courage under impossible conditions. 'You have illuminated India's name across the world; we are all proud of you,' he wrote.A deadly threat at altitude, a crew that did not flinch
The post describes a 'life-threatening attack' (janlewa hamla) on the Air Dubai flight while it was airborne at significant altitude. Captain Machchar and his team, according to Thakur's account, drew on presence of mind and quick judgment to navigate the crisis and safely land all 174 passengers and crew. The specifics of the incident have not been independently detailed in official statements available at the time of writing.
The First Class Order of Zayed II — what the medal means
The Order of Zayed is among the UAE's most prestigious state honours, conferred by the President in recognition of distinguished personal conduct or exceptional service. The First Class grade of the Order carries significant diplomatic weight, and its award to an Indian national by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signals the UAE's formal acknowledgement of a debt owed. For Captain Machchar, it places him in rare company among civilian awardees from the Indian community in the Gulf.
India-UAE ties and the pride of the Indian diaspora
India and the UAE have deepened bilateral ties considerably over the past decade, with cross-sector cooperation spanning trade, energy, and people-to-people links. The Indian community forms one of the largest expatriate populations in the UAE, and moments like this — an Indian professional honoured at the highest level of a Gulf state — carry resonance well beyond the aviation sector. Indian political leaders across the spectrum have increasingly used such occasions to spotlight the global footprint of Indian talent and professionalism.
Whether India's civil aviation ministry or the Ministry of External Affairs issues a formal follow-up note to Abu Dhabi remains to be watched — but for now, the story belongs to a pilot who kept 174 people alive when the odds were stacked against him.
Point of View
Which has invested significantly in strengthening the New Delhi-Abu Dhabi axis, highlighting a UAE Presidential honour for an Indian carries both diplomatic and domestic political resonance. The civil aviation ministry's response — or silence — will be the next indicator of how seriously New Delhi intends to leverage this moment.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchar?
Captain Smit Machchar is an Indian pilot who commanded an Air Dubai flight during a life-threatening mid-air crisis and successfully saved all 174 people on board, for which he was awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II by the UAE President.
What is the First Class Order of Zayed II?
The Order of Zayed is one of the UAE's highest state honours, conferred by the President to recognise distinguished personal conduct or exceptional service; the First Class grade is among its most senior awards.
Why did UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed honour Captain Machchar?
According to BJP MP Anurag Thakur's post, Captain Machchar and his team displayed extraordinary courage and presence of mind while facing a life-threatening attack on an Air Dubai flight, saving 174 lives.
What did Anurag Thakur say about Captain Smit Machchar?
Anurag Thakur called Machchar 'India's son,' said he had 'illuminated India's name across the world,' and expressed pride on behalf of the country, also quoting a verse from the Hanuman Chalisa about deliverance from crisis.
What does this award mean for India-UAE relations?
The conferral of a top UAE Presidential honour on an Indian national reflects the strong bilateral ties between India and the UAE and the significance of the large Indian community in the Gulf region.
