New Delhi: Leaders cutting across party lines welcomed the return of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthman from captivity in Pakistan and lauded him for his poise and courage and for making the country proud. Most of them took to the social media to praise the IAF pilot. Here’s what they had to say.
Narendra Modi: 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.
Nirmala Sitharaman: Proud of you Wing Commander #Abhinandan Varthaman. The entire nation appreciates your valour and grit. You held your calm in the face of adversity. You are an inspiration to our youth. Salute. Vande Mataram. Jai Hind.
Rajnath Singh: Welcome home. The entire nation is proud of Wing Commander Abhinandan.
Ravi Shankar Prasad: Proud of your courage Wing Commander Abhinandan! Welcome back home. Abhinandan to you. Jai Hind. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Rahul Gandhi: Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, your dignity, poise and bravery made us all proud. Welcome back and much love.
Mamata Banerjee: Welcome home Abhinandan Varthaman Welcome home, sweet home.
Arvind Kejriwal: Welcome back Wing Commander Abhinandan. I salute your bravery and the courage of your family. India is proud of you. The hero finally walks back. A grateful nation salutes Wing Commander Abhinandan. You are an inspiration for all of us.
N Chandrababu Naidu: Very happy to see the safe return of IAF wing commander Abhinandan. AP salutes the brave and spirited patriot.
Omar Abdullah: Welcome home Wing Commander. It’s great to have you back.
Ashok Gehlot: Relieved and glad that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is back home. I welcome him on Indian soil and salute his valour. The nation is proud of its armed forces.
Congress party: Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinandan. We are happy to have you back. You have been a true hero to all of us. Salute. Jai Hind.
Amarinder Singh: Join the nation in warmly welcoming back our hero Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman! Your resoluteness and poise in the face of adversity makes me proud as an Indian and former soldier. Welcome back son! Jai Hind.”
Akhilesh Yadav: The nation salutes you Wing Commander. Welcome home!
Sitaram Yechury: Home, finally, Wing Commander Abhinandan! Welcome back.
HD Kumaraswamy: Extremely happy that Our Hero #IAF pilot Wing Commander #Abhinandan Varthaman is back. The grace, grit, and commitment he showed during the toughest time is really admirable. We are proud of him. The nation salutes his bravery. Welcome Home Abhinandan.
PTI