Just when one thought that all the excitement over Wg Cmdr Abhinandhan had cooled off, the IAF has now come up with an announcement to not just remind us of that tea-chat sangfroid and poise, but also to inspire the youth to join up the Force and take to the skies to score against the 'enemy'.

Chennai: The Armed Forces, keen on attracting patriotic young men and women to their ranks, are getting mascots for inspiring the youth. If it's Lieutenant Colonel Dhoni at the Indian Territorial Army, it's been Wing Commander Abhinandhan who has been the hero of the Air Force ever since that daring operation flying into enemy territory and the dashing tea chat with the Pakistani captors. When they asked for his identity and such other details, he had coolly replied, “I'm not supposed to tell you”, And that made him a big hero. The Navy must soon discover a similar symbol for drawing the youth onto its decks.

Just when one thought that all the excitement over Wg Cmdr Abhinandhan had cooled off, the IAF has now come up with an announcement to not just remind us of that tea-chat sangfroid and poise, but also to inspire the youth to join up the Force and take to the skies to score against the 'enemy'.

The IAF tweet, along with a teaser of the mobile game it called, “Indian Air Force: A Cut Above”, has been getting huge response on the social media, particularly because the teaser has Abhinandhan - you cannot make a mistake because the signature moustache is there - standing next to a MIG and ready to take off in his flying suit. The game will be available for download on July 31, on both Android and iOS.

The teaser video on the IAF twitter handle, #IAF, has exciting footage of different war planes and helicopters on daring missions to destroy enemy targets. And in the midst of all that mid-air chasing and bombing, there are inspiring texts running on screen -- “I'm an Air Warrior. Proud, Dependable and Fearless. And in every act and deed, I put the security of my motherland, first. I fly deep into enemy territory and strike fear in the heart of my enemies. Now is your chance Pilot to become the Air Warrior. Do your duty and accomplish the mission. Lord over the skies, climb atop the mountains, fly the most advanced machines in the world and touch the sky with glory. Be An Air Warrior”.

It is said that the game initially can be played by a single user but in course of time would be updated to multi-player mode. There is already huge response on social media, though a few have poked fun asking if the IAF would also develop similar games to show its planes shot down by the enemy - most of them have recognised it's Pakistan who's the enemy. “Can't wait yarrrr it looks interesting, i am sure i will be among first few to download it”, was one of the several posts from the excited twitterati, @photudekhrebaba.