BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh joined the entire nation in celebrating the return of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan. Bhopalites also reveled with joy and cries of ‘Abhinandan… Abhinandan’ echoed the city.
As it was witnessed from noon how the crowd swelled at Wagah border throughout the day as the nation waited for the REAL HERO Abhinandan to return home. Though retired army officers were of the opinion that war was never a solution and according to them there are better options through which India can seek revenge, but they also said if Pakistan wants war then they might have to face the fiercest face of India.
Amid the celebrations and happiness, Free Press talked to retired officers of Air Force and some defence aspirants of the capital city and sought their take on the stress factor between the two nations. Excerpts:
Vikram A Pethiya, Rtd Air Marshal
It is a matter of great happiness that Pakistan has released Abhinandan or should I call him Bharat Ka ‘Nandan’. Releasing Abhinandan was not a gesture of peace, instead there was a lot of pressure on Pakistan. There were many factors due to which, Pakistan had to release our Abhinandan. There are many things which are involved in a war and first of all the diplomatic preparations need to be taken care of. India is already geared up in this aspect. Pakistan, in the past too, had faced defeat. One more thing I want to say is Kashmir has been and will remain a part of India.
DC Pandey, Rtd Wing Commander
The whole county celebrated the Abhinandan’s release. Pakistan should not think that India cannot retaliate. India’s airstrikes has woken up the whole world. Things have now reached the diplomatic domain and there is much effort from the international community to keep things from escalating further. War was never a solution; we retaliated to show our power. For a long term solution, Pakistan must destroy the terrorist organizations on its own. Until then, let them live in peace and let us live in peace.
Shubham Chaurasia, Defence Aspirant
Of course! This is a peaceful step that they agreed to return the Indian pilot. Apart from this, I think that war is not a solution because it takes hundreds of life from both the sides. Undoubtedly, India is ready for any kind of military response but not Pakistan due to its economic instability. India can put economic, diplomatic, trade and many international pressures on Pakistan and these are better steps than war.
Shubham Tiwari, IAF Aspirant
From my point of view war is not only solution, we have already displayed our strength with a recent airstrike. Now it’s time to make them internally and economically weak, so that they stop funding terrorist organizations. May the golden time come when there are no terrorists in Pakistan and all across the world.
