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Beard it like Abhinandan! (Lead)
By Radhika Bhirani
New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) His bravado apart, Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman’s stylised beard — a mix of a thin mutton chop beard, a classic gunslinger or a Franz Josef — has become the talk of the town. It may not be too long before it becomes a trend among people, say experts.
Reminiscent of a beard sported by megastar Rajinikanth in “Petta” or Suriya in “Singam”, Abhinandan’s well-groomed facial hair style may well be the next big thing for men who have drawn from shapes sported by cricketers Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan and Bollywood star Ranveer Singh in recent times.
“It won’t be wrong to say the beard sported by the IAF pilot will soon be called India’s very own Abhinandan style,” Darshan Yewalekar, personal hairstylist to actor Ranveer Singh and owner of D Shave Barbershop, told IANS.
Abhinandan, an IAF Wing Commander, returned to India on Friday night, two days after he was captured by Pakistan when his MiG-21 crashed in that country.
After the end of the nail-biting drama over his return, Twitterati have finally got a chance to mull over his unique moustache.
For generations altogether, Army and Air Force personnel have been particular about flaunting a well-groomed moustache or beard and it is part of their sub-culture.
“It tells a lot of the soldier’s and the official’s individuality. It is like an expression of their character and they wear it with pride,” Yewalekar said.
The habit of sporting a distinctive moustaches is well engrained in the Indian psyche, with even a saying for great shame based on the position of moustache tips.
A moustache is seen as an essential part of masculinity — from royalty to soldiers to dacoits and even popular culture. Remember Quick Gun Murugan, the fictional south Indian cowboy on television ads and a film, and the Nathulal of “Sharaabi”. Other famous men who have sported unique moustaches in recent Indian history include dacoits Man Singh, Mohar Singh and Madho Singh, apart from Veerappan.
Jaipur-based man Ram Singh Chauhan from Rajasthan is the proud owner of the longest moustache in the world and a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. MDH owner Mahashay Dharampal Gulati also has a moustache to remember.
Bharti Taneja, Founder and Director, Alps Beauty Group, finds Abhinandan’s moustache more of a gunslinger.
“It is shaped somewhat like the handlebars of a bicycle. But from now onwards the common man of India will remember this as ‘Abhinandan moustache’ only,” Taneja told IANS, adding a gunslinger is typically considered a cool and classic style that never goes out of vogue.
“It signifies machoism or valour and bravery, something that our hero Abhinandan has shown the world. He has added the ‘heroism’ quotient to this style.
“His moustache reflects his strong physical and mental health. Just see how groomed and cool his moustache looks — it would make any man want to follow his style. Women are loving it too! It’s a style of a gentleman,” Taneja said.
Twitterati are going gaga over the moustache. If there are memes, there are also discussions about how long it’s going to be before the style becomes a rage.
“Barbers are going to have a tough task designing this, and may thus benefit from premium pricing,” wrote one user, while another mentioned the IAF wings on Abhinandan’s uniform, and quipped: “I love how no one is acknowledging #Abhinandan’s double wings. His IAF wings and his moustache wings.”
One user commented: “Abhinandan’s moustache will be the next styling sensation throughout India. Don’t get flabbergasted when your barber asks you ‘Abhinandan cut chahiye?'”
Some even recounted actor Suriya’s “Singam” moustache and calling Abhinandan the “real Singam” for his bravery.
(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.