Thread by @Jainismrevival

👤 #Jain Personalities

'Vir Chakra Awardee'
IAF Group Captain #AbhinandanVarthaman was born on 21st June 1983 in a Tamil Jain #samanar family from Thirupanamoor, #Tamilnadu. His family has been serving the Nation in the Airforce for 72 years continuously.

#Thread

Abhinandan did his schooling in Kendriya vidyalayas in Air Force bases around the country. He graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned into the combat stream of the IAF as a flying officer on 19 June 2004.

He was promoted as Flight lieutenant in 2006, and as Squadron leader in 2010. Varthaman was a Su-30 MKI fighter pilot before being assigned to the MiG-21 Bison squadron. He was promoted as Wing commander on 19 June 2017. In Nov 2021 he was promoted to the rank of a Group Captain.

Abhinandan's grandfather Master Warrant officer D.Simhakutty served in the Indian Air Force for 35 years, also took part in World War II.

His father Varthaman was a fighter pilot & a Test pilot, was 40 years in service and retired as an Air Marshal-Eastern Air Force Commander.

His mother Shobha is a doctor, she hails from Thiruparuthikunram. She completed her MBBS-MMC, PG diploma at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, UK. She has volunteered with organisations like 'Doctors without borders' & 'Operation Smile' and has served in conflict zones.

Abhinandan is married to Tanvi Marwaha, a former squadron Leader, an IAF Helicopter pilot. They have 2 children. His parents are retired & are enriching their lives being involved in spiritual, religious & social activities. They belong to the #Digambar Jain community.

Abhinandan was a Wing Commander Fighter pilot during the aerial dogfight between #India 🇮🇳 & #Pakistan 🇵🇰 that occured due to an intrusion into Indian-administered #Kashmir by Pakistani aircraft, post the Balakot Strike in Feb 2019.

During the Air fight, he crossed into Pakistani airspace & his aircraft was struck by a missile. Varthaman ejected & safely descended into the village of Horran in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, appx 7 kms from the Line of Control. He was held captive for 60 hours.

On 28 Feb 2019, @PakPMO Imran Khan announced that the govt had decided to release him the next day as a 'Gesture of Peace'. Varthaman crossed the India-Pak border at Wagah on 1 March 2019. At a political rally, @PMOIndia welcomed his release, saying the nation was proud of him.

Varthaman became a War Hero. Every #Indian prayed for his safety & return. #Pakistan museum has already made a mannequin displaying him as a captive.His long-styled moustache became so popular in India that a number of companies used the moustache in their adverts & it went viral

His compliment "Chai acchi hai" during captivity became a famous slogan to exchange mocks. The Pakistani chai wala who made tea for him, preserves the cup till today. He said though he was an enemy he was still a guest, hence was honoured to serve him.

https://twitter.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1232687395495194624?t=z_MqKxNcFXsWRiktsKvssQ&s=19

AWARDS:
- Vir Chakra
- General Service Medal
- The Wound Medal or Parakram Padak Award
- Samanya Seva Medal
- Special Service Medal
- Siachen Glacier Medal
- Sainya Seva Medal
- High Altitude Service Medal
- 9 Years Long Service Medal