Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday announced that the state government will honour Indian pilot Smit Machchhar with the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his courage in saving 174 passengers aboard a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight despite being grievously injured in an attack inside the cockpit.&nbsp;Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his Omani co-pilot in the cockpit but fought back valiantly despite being severely injured and managed to open the door for seeking assistance and saving the plane. The flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with all the passengers safe.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ઈઝરાયલ જઈ રહેલ ફ્લાઈટના પાયલટ કેપ્ટન સ્મિત મચ્છરના સાહસને આજે આખી દુનિયા સલામ કરી રહી છે. હુમલાના કારણે લોહીલુહાણ હોવા છતા તેમણે અદમ્ય સાહસ દાખવીને 174 મુસાફરોના જીવ બચાવ્યા, એ વાત અત્યંત પ્રેરણાદાયી અને સરાહનીય છે. મૂળ ગુજરાતના આ વીર સપૂતે પોતાના શૌર્યથી સમગ્ર વિશ્વમાં ગુજરાત…&mdash; Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) <a href="https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/2105566205679657337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;“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 CM Bhupendra Patel wrote on X.“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. To honor his extraordinary act of bravery and humanity, the Government of Gujarat will bestow upon Captain Smit Machhar the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">भारत के वीर सपूत कैप्टन स्मित मच्छर के स्वास्थ्य लाभ के लिए प्रथम ज्योतिर्लिंग श्री सोमनाथ महादेव में हो रही इस विशेष महापूजा और &#39;आयुष्य मंत्रजाप अनुष्ठान&#39; के साथ पूरे गुजरात और हम सभी देशवासियों की सामूहिक प्रार्थनाएं जुड़ी हैं। देवाधिदेव भगवान सोमनाथ से प्रार्थना है कि वे… <a href="https://t.co/G8kcTIc0G8">https://t.co/G8kcTIc0G8</a>&mdash; Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) <a href="https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/2105575721980830023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The CM also prayed for his swift recovery, saying, “The empathy and prayers of the nation’s citizens are with Captain Smit Machchhar.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have already praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage. <h2>‘Israel would formally recognise the pilot’s valour and bravery,’ says Ambassador</h2> Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has said that Israel will also honour Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery in averting a major disaster and saving the lives of around 180 people.Azar said Machchhar’s valour had drawn attention across Israel, including from President and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and praised the pilot for saving both the passengers and the aircraft despite being seriously injured.The ambassador said Israel “does not forget its friends” who stand with the country during times of crisis. He linked the incident to the period close to the third anniversary of the October 7 terror attack, calling it another terror strike that was averted.Azar said Israel had scrambled fighter jets amid concerns over the aircraft threat and that Netanyahu was in a security huddle discussing the situation when Machchhar’s actions helped avert a potential catastrophe. He said Israel would formally recognise the pilot’s “valour and bravery”. PM Modi said Machchhar had shown “remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage” and described him as a “HERO”, saying his valour helped avert a major tragedy and save lives. NNetanyahu also saluted Machchhar for his “extraordinary bravery”, saying that despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.Trump called the Indian pilot “a hero”, saying that even while badly wounded, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and call for help. <h2>‘He was an absolute hero’</h2> Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun, who stormed into the cockpit and overpowered the attacker co-pilot and then worked on controls to steady the diving aircraft, also hailed Captain Machchhar. “You’re not going to die today,” Hayun told the Indian pilot who was stabbed by his co-pilot. “He was an absolute hero. I told him, ‘You’re not going to die today’,” Hayun recalled telling Machchhar. “Captain Smit, it’s a hero. I want to thank him for letting us inside the cockpit, or all of us would have died,” he added. “Despite his injuries, he fought back. He saved us, and we are very grateful. We wish him a quick recovery, and we would like to speak to him and thank him in person.” <h2>‘Remember his name: Smit Machchhar’</h2> After the dramatic incident aboard a flydubai flight, social media was agog with messages hailing the Indian pilot. Several Israelis posted videos to thank the Indian pilot and hailed him as a hero after Israeli authorities said his actions helped prevent a catastrophe involving more than 170 passengers. “Remember his name: Smit Machchhar.” That was the message echoing across social media. One video after another carried messages of gratitude for the captain, with users in Israel describing him as brave and urging others to remember his name.One Israeli content creator, Einav Avizemer, posted a video thanking both Machchhar and India. “I want to take this opportunity and thank the Indian pilot. What a hero,” she said, adding that without his actions, “it could end up in a whole different way”.

Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said Israel will also honour Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery in averting a major disaster and saving the lives of around 180 people. Azar added that Machchhar’s valour had drawn attention across Israel.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday announced that the state government will honour Indian pilot Smit Machchhar with the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his courage in saving 174 passengers aboard a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight despite being grievously injured in an attack inside the cockpit. Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his Omani co-pilot in the cockpit but fought back valiantly despite being severely injured and managed to open the door for seeking assistance and saving the plane. The flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with all the passengers safe.

Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said Israel will also honour Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery in averting a major disaster and saving the lives of around 180 people. Azar added that Machchhar’s valour had drawn attention across Israel.

Gujarat CM announces ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for Indian pilot Smit Machchhar

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's US visit has opened new opportunities to connect the state's development with global capital, advanced technology and international partnerships.&nbsp;During the visit, a delegation led by Patel held one-on-one meetings with representatives of JPMorgan, Tillman Global Holdings, Uber and Golub Capital in New York. The delegation also visited IBM Research.&nbsp;The meetings focused on investment, advanced technology, industrial development, research and innovation, with discussions aimed at supporting Gujarat's development plans.<h3>JPMorgan reaffirms GIFT City commitment</h3>Patel met JPMorgan officials to discuss strengthening GIFT City as a global financial centre. The financial institution reaffirmed its commitment to the project and briefed the Chief Minister on plans to expand its presence and business operations there.&nbsp;Patel said the growing interest of global financial institutions would further strengthen GIFT City's position as an international financial hub.&nbsp;Golub Capital also showed interest in investing in GIFT City. During a meeting with Co-President Jerry Keefe, the company expressed interest in bringing its global banking, insurance and exchange sector partners onto the GIFT City platform.<h3>Tillman Global backs Gujarat's policy approach</h3>Patel also met Sanjeev Ahuja, Founder and Chairman of Tillman Global Holdings. Ahuja praised Gujarat's proactive policies, particularly its Data Centre Policy.&nbsp;The discussions focused on opportunities to expand the data centre sector and develop Dholera as a global hub for next-generation digital infrastructure.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-ufc-at-white-house-trump-gears-up-for-motor-race-in-us-capital-1787398754790">After UFC at White House, Trump gears up for motor race in US capital</a><h3>Uber eyes expansion in smaller cities</h3>Uber expressed interest in expanding its operations across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in Gujarat. The proposed expansion could strengthen transportation and connectivity services in smaller and medium-sized cities across the state.&nbsp;The company also showed interest in exploring partnerships for major sporting events scheduled to be held in Gujarat. Such cooperation could help provide transportation services to athletes and visitors.<h3>IBM Research meeting focuses on advanced technology</h3>Patel visited IBM Research at Yorktown Heights in New York to explore collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors.&nbsp;During the visit, IBM officials briefed the Chief Minister on research and innovation in these areas. The discussions also covered knowledge sharing and deeper cooperation to strengthen research and development capabilities in Gujarat and India.&nbsp;The meetings during the US visit have opened opportunities across investment, GIFT City, data centres, digital infrastructure and advanced technologies. The visit has also strengthened Gujarat's global partnerships and created scope for future cooperation in investment, employment, technology, research and innovation.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's US visit opened new opportunities for global investment, GIFT City expansion, digital infrastructure and collaboration in AI, quantum computing and semiconductor research.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's US visit has opened new opportunities to connect the state's development with global capital, advanced technology and international partnerships. During the visit, a delegation led by Patel held one-on-one meetings with representatives of JPMorgan, Tillman Global Holdings, Uber and Golub Capital in New York. The delegation also visited IBM Research. The meetings focused on investment, advanced technology, industrial development, research and innovation, with discussions aimed at supporting Gujarat's development plans. JPMorgan reaffirms GIFT City commitment Patel met JPMorgan officials to discuss strengthening GIFT City as a global financial centre. The financial institution reaffirmed its commitment to the project and briefed the Chief Minister on plans to expand its presence and business operations there. Patel said the growing interest of global financial institutions would further strengthen GIFT City's position as an international financial hub. Golub Capital also showed interest in investing in GIFT City. During a meeting with Co-President Jerry Keefe, the company expressed interest in bringing its global banking, insurance and exchange sector partners onto the GIFT City platform. Tillman Global backs Gujarat's policy approach Patel also met Sanjeev Ahuja, Founder and Chairman of Tillman Global Holdings. Ahuja praised Gujarat's proactive policies, particularly its Data Centre Policy. The discussions focused on opportunities to expand the data centre sector and develop Dholera as a global hub for next-generation digital infrastructure. Also Read: After UFC at White House, Trump gears up for motor race in US capital Uber eyes expansion in smaller cities Uber expressed interest in expanding its operations across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in Gujarat. The proposed expansion could strengthen transportation and connectivity services in smaller and medium-sized cities across the state. The company also showed interest in exploring partnerships for major sporting events scheduled to be held in Gujarat. Such cooperation could help provide transportation services to athletes and visitors. IBM Research meeting focuses on advanced technology Patel visited IBM Research at Yorktown Heights in New York to explore collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors. During the visit, IBM officials briefed the Chief Minister on research and innovation in these areas. The discussions also covered knowledge sharing and deeper cooperation to strengthen research and development capabilities in Gujarat and India. The meetings during the US visit have opened opportunities across investment, GIFT City, data centres, digital infrastructure and advanced technologies. The visit has also strengthened Gujarat's global partnerships and created scope for future cooperation in investment, employment, technology, research and innovation.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's US visit opened new opportunities for global investment, GIFT City expansion, digital infrastructure and collaboration in AI, quantum computing and semiconductor research.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel's US visit opens new avenues for global investment, technology

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel recast his cabinet on Friday by expanding it to include 26 ministers as new inductees took oath in a ceremony at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. The move introduces several fresh faces into the government, just three years into its term and two years ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi took oath as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, while cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife, Rivaba Jadeja, also became a minister. Sanghvi is also the youngest to hold the position of Deputy Chief Minister in the state’s history. The BJP-led Gujarat government now has a new cabinet with 26 ministers. &nbsp;Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath to the new inductees. CM Bhupendra Patel inducted 19 fresh faces in his council of ministers and retained six from his previous team.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | BJP MLA Rivaba Jadeja takes oath as Gujarat Cabinet minister in Gandhinagar <a href="https://t.co/mJzv53J2C0">pic.twitter.com/mJzv53J2C0</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1979096648392335790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;The ministers who took the oath included Swaroopji Thakor, Pravenkumar Mali, Rushikesh Patel, Darshna Waghela, Kunvarji Bavaliya, Rivaba Jadeja, Arjun Modhwadia, Parshottam Solanki, Jitendra Waghani, Praful Pansheriya, and Kanubhai Desai.The cabinet was recast a day after all 16 ministers submitted their resignations.This was the first major cabinet reshuffle after Bhupendra Patel, who replaced late Vijay Rupani as chief minister in 2021, led the BJP to a landslide victory in the 2022 state assembly polls.Later, CM Bhupendra Patel allocated portfolios to the minister and kept General Administration, Administrative Reforms and Training and other departments with himself.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-16-gujarat-ministers-resign-new-bigger-bhupendra-patel-cabinet-to-take-oath-friday-1760617081476">All 16 Gujarat ministers resign; new, bigger Bhupendra Patel Cabinet to take oath Friday</a>&nbsp;Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi has been given Home, Police Housing, Jail, Border Security, Gram Rakshak Dal, Civil Defence, Prohibition and Excise, Transport, Law and Justice, Sports and Youth Services and other departments, while Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai has been allotted Finance, Urban Development and Urban Housing departments.&nbsp;Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel has been assigned Energy and Petrochemicals, Panchayat and Rural Housing, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, while Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja becomes Primary, Secondary and Adult Education minister.CM Bhupendra Patel later held a cabinet meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Gandhinagar: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel (<a href="https://twitter.com/Bhupendrapbjp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bhupendrapbjp</a>) holds his first cabinet meeting following the ministers’ oath ceremony after cabinet reshuffle. (Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/n147TvqRQz">https://t.co/n147TvqRQz</a>) <a href="https://t.co/3sQuONXIyg">pic.twitter.com/3sQuONXIyg</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1979179928512774431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-arrests-senior-ips-officer-seizes-rs-5-crore-cash-mercedes-audi-1-5-kg-jewellery-other-assets-1760642500455">CBI arrests senior IPS officer, seizes Rs 5 crore cash, Mercedes, Audi, 1.5 kg jewellery, other assets</a>&nbsp;Earlier on Thursday, all 16 ministers, except CM Bhupendra Patel, resigned. Gujarat’s 182-member assembly allows a maximum of 27 ministers, or 15% of its strength. Previously, the Council of Ministers had 17 members, including eight cabinet ministers and eight ministers of state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The ministers who took the oath were Swaroopji Thakor, Pravenkumar Mali, Rushikesh Patel, Darshna Waghela, Kunvarji Bavaliya, Rivaba Jadeja, Arjun Modhwadia, Parshottam Solanki, Jitendra Waghani, Praful Pansheriya, and Kanubhai Desai. The cabinet was recast after all 16 ministers resigned.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel recast his cabinet on Friday by expanding it to include 26 ministers as new inductees took oath in a ceremony at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. The move introduces several fresh faces into the government, just three years into its term and two years ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi took oath as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, while cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife, Rivaba Jadeja, also became a minister. Sanghvi is also the youngest to hold the position of Deputy Chief Minister in the state’s history. The BJP-led Gujarat government now has a new cabinet with 26 ministers. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath to the new inductees. CM Bhupendra Patel inducted 19 fresh faces in his council of ministers and retained six from his previous team.

The ministers who took the oath were Swaroopji Thakor, Pravenkumar Mali, Rushikesh Patel, Darshna Waghela, Kunvarji Bavaliya, Rivaba Jadeja, Arjun Modhwadia, Parshottam Solanki, Jitendra Waghani, Praful Pansheriya, and Kanubhai Desai. The cabinet was recast after all 16 ministers resigned.

Gujarat cabinet gets 26 ministers; Harsh Sanghavi becomes Deputy CM, Rivaba Jadeja gets education

All 16 ministers in the Gujarat government resigned on Thursday ahead of a major cabinet reshuffle scheduled for Friday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is the only member of the current cabinet to continue in office, and is expected to meet Governor Acharya Devvrat in the evening to formally submit the resignations. The current Gujarat cabinet, which has 16 members, will be expanded and the number of ministers could rise to over 20, said reports, citing sources. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar by Thursday. The new, bigger Gujarat cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda.“Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet will be expanded on Friday at 12:39 pm,” a government release said.&nbsp;The Gujarat cabinet comprised 17 ministers, including Chief Minister Patel. Eight of them were cabinet-rank ministers, while others were ministers of state (MoS).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gandhinagar, Gujarat: On Gujarat Cabinet Reshuffle, Minister Rushikesh Patel says, &quot;It has also been officially communicated that on the 17th, CM Bhupendra Patel and his council of ministers are going to be sworn in...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/yqECXHLuT5">pic.twitter.com/yqECXHLuT5</a>&mdash; IANS (@ians_india) <a href="https://twitter.com/ians_india/status/1978726906666082374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>Gujarat can have up to 27 ministers</h2>&nbsp;Gujarat, which has a 182-member assembly, can have 27 ministers, or 15 per cent of the total strength of the House.&nbsp;A meeting was held at the chief minister’s residence on Thursday evening, and it was attended by BJP national general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal and CM Patel. Bansal and Patel met each minister individually and informed them about the decision of the party’s central leadership and then collected their resignations.&nbsp;Reports said around seven ministers are likely to be retained, and new faces will be inducted as per the party’s strategy.Party insiders said Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma coordinated the process and conveyed the leadership’s decision to the ministers.&nbsp;<h2>Reshuffle to infuse new energy, balance representation</h2>&nbsp;The resignations are being seen as part of the BJP’s plan to restructure the state cabinet ahead of the upcoming political and organisational challenges. The reshuffle will enable the party to infuse new energy and balance caste and regional representation ahead of upcoming polls.

Earlier this month, MoS in the Gujarat government, Jagdish Vishwakarma, became the new president of the BJP’s state unit, replacing Union minister CR Paatil. Bhupendra Patel took oath as Gujarat chief minister for the second time on December 12, 2022.

Gujarat, which has a 182-member assembly, can have 27 ministers, or 15 per cent of the total strength of the House. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar. A bigger cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. 

All 16 ministers in the Gujarat government resigned on Thursday ahead of a major cabinet reshuffle scheduled for Friday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is the only member of the current cabinet to continue in office, and is expected to meet Governor Acharya Devvrat in the evening to formally submit the resignations. The current Gujarat cabinet, which has 16 members, will be expanded and the number of ministers could rise to over 20, said reports, citing sources. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar by Thursday. The new, bigger Gujarat cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda. “Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet will be expanded on Friday at 12:39 pm,” a government release said. The Gujarat cabinet comprised 17 ministers, including Chief Minister Patel. Eight of them were cabinet-rank ministers, while others were ministers of state (MoS).

Gujarat, which has a 182-member assembly, can have 27 ministers, or 15 per cent of the total strength of the House. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar. A bigger cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.&nbsp;

All 16 Gujarat ministers resign; new, bigger Bhupendra Patel Cabinet to take oath Friday

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Gujarat CM announces ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for Indian pilot Smit Machchhar

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel's US visit opens new avenues for global investment

Gujarat cabinet gets 26 ministers; Harsh Sanghavi becomes deputy chief minister

All 16 Gujarat ministers resign; new Bhupendra Patel Cabinet to take oath Friday