Peace trends as Kolkata prays for pilot’s safe return

KOLKATA: As a cool and composed Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman identified himself in a video released by Pakistani media on Wednesday afternoon, Kolkatans united for the braveheart.

High tempers and the clamour for a ‘befitting reply’ took the back seat. #SayNoto-War and #BringBackAbhinandan trended on social media as Kolkatans took to Facebook and Twitter in a flurry. Even those who had been baying for blood in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, joined in to pray for Varthaman’s safe return.



By Thursday evening, as news of his possible release on Friday began pouring in from Pakistan with its PM Imran Khan himself announcing it in the Parliament, the sense of relief was all too apparent.

“The bloodied face of the pilot and the subsequent questioning shows what is to come in the future if we continue to be at war. Both the countries should engage into diplomatic meetings and refrain from this show of strength which will only lead to more lives being lost. #Say-NotoWar [sic],” posted a citybased techie. Hours later, as news of the Varthaman’s return was confirmed, he hailed Indian diplomacy for the “great effort put in”.

Another young bank executive who had been extremely vocal on social media about the situation of the country since the Pulwama attack posted: “Lets first concentrate and devise a strategy to bring back our pilot from Pakistan, everything else can wait. Whole country is proud of this brave son and everyone is hoping for his safe return. We all stand united to keep our country safe and strong. #BringBackAbhinandan.”

There were others who opined Imran’s move needed to be reciprocated. A doctor at a government hospital in north Kolkata invoked the words of Nazi leader Hermann Wilhelm Göring to drive home his point: “ ... pacifists can be denounced by always criticizing their lack of patriotism”. “It is time that peace is given a real chance,” he added. Others like a college student, simply went with “Make Friends, Not Wars.”