Twitter messages flood lauding Abhinandan

• Even as news reports started trickling in about the expected release of Abhinandan from Pakistan, hashtags such as #WelcomeBackAbhinandan, #AbhinandanReturns started trending in twitter much ahead

Visakhapatnam: A new line-art image with a well-conditioned moustache began popping up in WhatsApp groups along with a plethora of social media sites personifying bravery.  

Ever since the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday night, the display pictures on social media started changing as many preferred to replace their profile photographs with moustachioed-IAF hero, a sign of welcoming the Air Force pilot back home.

Even as news reports started trickling in about the expected release of Abhinandan from Pakistan, hashtags such as #WelcomeBackAbhinandan, #AbhinandanReturns started trending in twitter much ahead.

As the nation turned into a celebration mode after the release of Indian pilot who was taken captive by the Pakistan Army, people in the city too were in a jubilant mood as they waited with bated breath for ‘real’ hero to return.   

Defining the return of Abhinandan as awe-inspiring, Director of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Head (HR) Essar Steel, Vizag Complex D S Varma said it was a proud moment for every Indian. 

“What impresses the most is how he maintained composure even in times of duress. We are extremely glad that he has come back safe and his valour is sure to inspire the future generations,” Varma shared.   

For G Vijayakrishna, a retired naval officer and associate professor in an international university, it was hard to define the glorious moment. “We are glad that the Wing Commander returned to Indian soil unscathed. 

There is a silent lesson for all of us to learn from the pilot’s experience as to how to handle the toughest situation with dexterity,” he stated.  

Echoing similar views, general manager of Fortune Inn Sree Kanya S Ajit Kumar says, “Abhinandan Varthaman sets an example for younger generation as he demonstrated a wonderful combination of bravery, calmness and patriotism when he was detained by the Pakistan Army.”

Ever since the news of Indian pilot’s return broke, tweets such as ‘a real hero of the nation’, ‘India is proud of your courage, sense of duty and above all your dignity’, ‘the country salutes your valour and the dignity you have shown during the testing times’ flooded twitter handles.