KOLHAPUR: His bravery apart,
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is emerging as a style icon of sorts for
youths from this western
Maharashtra city who are eager to sport a gunslinger
moustache like the famous Air Force pilot.
And a saloon
in Rajarampuri area is doing its bit to hail
wing commander
Varthaman'
s heroism, by offering a free haircut and shave to anyone who sports the gunslinger
moustache.
Wing Commander Varthaman became a national hero when he shot down a Pakistani F-16 while chasing it out
in his MiG-21 bison during Indian air space violation by
Pakistan.
As his MiG-21 went down, the
wing commander ejected and landed
in Pakistani territory, where he was held captive for nearly 60 hours before his release on March 1.
Dhananjay Bhalekar, who runs a saloon named "Hair Affair", has decided to celebrate the IAF pilot's bravery
in a unique manner.
"Everyone
in the country is happy as our pilot has returned safely from Pakistan. To celebrate this national moment of pride, I am offering a free hair cut and shave to anyone who sports a
moustachelike Abhinandan," said Bhalekar who has displayed a board mentioning the offer outside his hair parlour.
Quoting barbers from various parts of the city, he said the gunslinger
moustache has becoming a
ragein youngsters
inKolhapur.