New Delhi: The return of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on 1 March after nearly 60 hours in Pakistani custody had the country gushing with pride and relief. So inspired are Indians to have the pilot back that efforts are on to honour him in whatever way possible — from naming children after him to kicking off the #AbhinandanChallenge on Twitter.
PTI reported on 2 March that a family in Rajasthan’s Alwar district had decided to name their new born baby boy Abhinandan. “We are proud of the pilot and therefore we named the baby Abhinandan,” the report quoted the infant’s grandfather, Janesh Bhutani, as saying.
“By naming my son Abhinandan, we will keep reminding him about the valour of the pilot, and I would like him to become a brave soldier like him when he grows up,” said Sapna Devi, the child’s mother.
A separate report in the Times of India found that two families, again in Rajasthan, also decided to name their children after the pilot. Reporting from Jaipur, mother Vimlesh Bendara told TOI: “I will always remember that when Wing Commander Abhinandan came back to India, my son was born. I hope he too should earn name, fame, and glory for himself and our family.”
The report added that “similar emotions were echoed by the Tikkiwal family from Sanganer”, who also named their child Abhinandan to honour the pilot’s courage. “Since he has made his family and the nation proud, we are hoping our son will make the family proud too,” the child’s father said.
Also read: Abhinandan Varthaman underwent mental harassment in Pak custody, says report
Truth or hoax?
Twitter saw a similar trend, but blown out of proportion. Several handles tweeted that their relatives had named their newborns Abhinandan — the catch being that they all used the exact same text and photograph to announce the news:
https://twitter.com/iamkesarchauhan/status/1101518886913146880
https://twitter.com/zoo_bear/status/1101545696111529984
Viral trend
Soon enough, Twitter threw up the #AbhinandanChallenge, to copy the pilot’s gunslinger moustache, which became a trend.
https://twitter.com/lrangappa/status/1101737273597415425
https://twitter.com/suchetadalal/status/1102054130690928640
Some companies like Hybong are using the challenge to offer discounts on their services.
The internet has made it clear: Abhinandan is a hero, and neither he — nor his moustache — will ever be forgotten.
https://twitter.com/NomadiqueInKeds/status/1101679825784320001
Also read: Not just Abhinandan’s story: Next time you cheer for soldiers, remember their families too