India, March 18 -- Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is that brave face of the Indian armed forces that the country has come to identify with lately.
The fighter pilot who had to bail out into enemy territory after a dogfight, was caught and suffered 60 hours of mental ordeal in enemy captivity before being released, has scripted a new chapter in Indian history with reports of his bravado on the face of hostile reception inspiring millions of Indians.
It is very rare to have national sentiments rising to the pitch that was witnessed after reports of Abhinandan's capture had the entire nation in a state of 'suspended animation'.
Considering the captured IAF pilot as a trophy that Pakistan wanted to gloat over in the aftermath of the air...