RAWALPINDI: Pakistani Twitterati did not miss the chance on Saturday to share new memes of an Indian pilot who two years ago became a social media sensation as he praised Pakistan Army officers for "fantastic tea."
Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured on Feb. 27, 2019 when Pakistan shot down his jet for violating its airspace. He was soon handed over to India in a goodwill gesture, but a video in which he said he had been treated well and "the tea was fantastic" stayed with Pakistanis forever.
In remembrance of Abhinandan's tea, celebratory trends emerged on Pakistani Twitter, followed by new memes and laughs: #FantasticTeaDay, #HappySurpriseDayIndia, #WorldsBiggestTeaParty.
Retired Pakistan Air Force veteran pilot Air Marshal Shahid Lateef pointed out that Abhinandan's tea was not only fantastic but also expensive as it cost him his MiG-21 jet.
Pilot and entertainer Fakhr-e-Alam commemorated the day by tweeting out a tongue-in-cheek promotion of Pakistani hospitality and tea.
Fantastic tea was also combined with another major trend of the day — the ongoing Pakistan Super League — on the cricket event's "strategic timeout" poster.
Another Twitter user shared a shot of a trail of teacups, writing: “Let’s attract Indian pilots.”
As four trees fell on the Pakistani side during the Indian operation of Abhinandan was part, on Fantastic Tea Day comedian Ali Gur Pir released an entire track in honor of the fallen wooden heroes.
As Abhinandan memes continue to entertain Pakistanis, Twitter user Sadaf Ikram shared a photo of the pilot's portrait being used in advertisements and thank him for “fueling creative thinking" in Pakistan.
