‘Good to be back’ says Abhinandan Varthaman; PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi welcome the IAF pilot

In his first public remarks on Abhinandan Varthaman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the meaning of word ‘abhinandan’ will now change for the world. “The world takes note of what India does … India has the strength to change the meaning of words in the dictionary. Abhinandan once used to mean welcome. And now the meaning of Abhinandan will change.”

Follow LIVE updates on IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan’s return

The pilot’s homecoming triggered celebrations across the country. Many took to social media to welcome him back as well as to salute the grace and courage that he exhibited in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Wing Commander back home. “Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!” he wrote on Twitter. President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to welcome the pilot back. “India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future,” he wrote on Twitter. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said Abhinandan’s “dignity, poise and bravery,” made the country proud.

Read | Abhinadan Varthaman returns: ‘Recording of video before release led to delay’

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also came out with a “Jai Hind” tweet. BJP chief Amit Shah said the country is “proud of your courage and valour.” “India is glad to have you back. May you continue to serve the nation and IAF with unparalleled passion and dedication. Best wishes for your bright future,” he wrote on Twitter. “India’s happiness on return of Wing Commander Abhinandan is unprecedented. I salute the courage and resilience of Wg Commander Abhinandan,” Arun Jaitley wrote on Twitter.

Editorial | Cautionary note as Abhinandan returns: No need for triumphalism on camera or off it

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after being released by Pakistan authorities at the Pakistani side of Wagah border. (Source: PTI Photo)

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal called Abhinandan an “inspiration.” “The hero finally walks back. A grateful nation salutes Wing Commander Abhinandan,” he wrote on Twitter. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also welcomed Abhinandan. BSP chief Mayawati wrote: “Hearty welcome safe return of IAF pilot Abhinandan from Pak custody. Big relief & ease of tension is natural but sensing sea change in security scenario around, India must have a long, lasting & credible policy for its security-honour besides a good policy to deal with neighbours.”

Various sports personalities and film actors also took to Twitter to welcome Varthaman. The BCCI put out a picture of the Indian Team’s jersey bearing IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s name and number 1 on it as a tribute after his return to the country from Pakistan.

Varthaman was in Pakistan’s custody after his MiG-21 Bison was hit by ground air defence weapons while in the process of thwarting the PAF’s intrusion in the Indian airspace. Retracting from its earlier statement that two Indian pilots were in its custody, Pakistan Army later said that only one IAF pilot was captured by its forces. His return has set the ball rolling for de-escalation between the two countries.

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