Vijayawada celebrates return of Abhinandan

Patriotism swells as people rejoice IAF officer’s ‘home coming’

March 02, 2019 01:04 am | Updated 11:29 am IST - VIJAYAWADA

Celebration mode:  People distributing sweets to celebrate the release of Wing Commander, Abhinandan Varthaman, in Vijayawada on Friday.

Celebration mode: People distributing sweets to celebrate the release of Wing Commander, Abhinandan Varthaman, in Vijayawada on Friday.

Several people celebrated the release of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan, here on Friday.

The pilot was arrested by the Pakistan forces when his MiG-21 crashed two days ago. Wg. Cdr. Varthaman landed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

Celebrations marked across Andhra Pradesh with his release. Students, public and the political parties expressed happiness over his safe release.

Students of IIIT, Nuzvid, in Krishna district, raised slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and saluted the braveheart and distributed sweets. IIIT Director D. Suryachandra Rao said it was a memorable day for Indians as the pilot was released safely and thanked the government for taking steps for bringing back Wg. Cdr. Abhinandan.

Students carrying flags took out rallies and raised slogans praising the courage and retaliation of the Indian armed forces across the Line of Control (LoC), post Pulwama attack, in which 40 personnel were killed.

Management of SRKR Engineering College, Bhimavaram, arranged a live telecast on the release of the war hero.

“It was a proud movement for crores of Indians today. We have to salute to the bravehearts, who were fighting on the borders,” said Krishna, a student of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tadepalligudem.

Students of SKSD Mahila Degree and PG College, Tanuku, burst crackers and celebrated the moment. College correspondent Chitturi Subba Rao, who participated in the celebrations, called upon the students to inculcate patriotism and be united to save the country from terrorists.

Members of the Andhra Pradesh IPS Officers Association expressed happiness over the release of the Wing Commander, and praised the pilot.

Carrying the tri-colour flags, students of SRR & CVR Degree College, PB Siddhartha College of Arts and Science, Vijayawada, and NRI Institute of Technology, Agiripalli, in Krishna district, praised the courage of Wg. Cdr. Abhinandan.

Meanwhile, the Muslim community celebrated the release of the Indian pilot at Labbipet and offered sweets to the public. Activists of YSR Congress Party too celebrated the occasion by bursting crackers on Besant Road.

Many people were seen glued to televisions at homes and at the shops waiting eagerly for his release. They raised slogans such as ‘Jai Jawan’ and ‘Jai Bharat’.

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