Sudarsan Pattnaik welcomes back IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan with beautiful sand art

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], Mar 1 (ANI): Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is set to be released by Pakistan following two days of custody, through a beautiful installation at the Puri beach in Odisha.
The Padma Shri awardee and internationally recognised sand artist created a mesmerising work of sand art to welcome Abhinandan back home.
In a photo shared on Twitter by Surdarshan, an image of Abhinandan can be seen carved out on sand with the words "Welcome Home Abhinandan" written beside it. A fighter jet can be seen taking off alongside.
He captioned the photo "#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan My sand art to welcome our brave Hero at Puri beach #Odisha."
Talking to ANI, the renowned sand artist said, "We welcome Abhinandan with our sand art. It took me and my students’ two tonnes of sand to create the sculpture."
This is not the first time Sudarsan has etched a sand art in honour of IAF pilot Abhinandan. On February 28 too he etched Abhinandan’s likeness on sand and wrote “Salute to Our Brave Hero Abhinandan,” alongside it.

Wing Commander Varthaman, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets which transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely and was taken to the custody by the Pakistani Army. (ANI)