BENGALURU: Weeks into November, one is already noticing Bengaluru men sporting their handsome beards and moustaches to mark their support to the Movember movement.
You may also be privy to arguments that say moustaches don’t equal a mandatory accumulation in research funds for cancer.
Since 2003, the Movember movement has raised over $446 million and claims to have funded more than 1,200 projects.
City Express catches up with the Bangalore Beard Club as they gear up to host a beard and moustache competition to raise awareness towards the cause.
“As part of the ‘No Shave November’ awareness campaign, we are hosting a ramp walk on November 19 at Pheonix Market City,” says Vishal Singh, founder and president of Bangalore Beard Club.
The event in Bengaluru on November 19 will also involve a session on health and fitness for men.
The Movember foundation was started in 2003 to help men live happier, healthier and longer lives. The foundation initiated the month long movement to raise funds to fund “game changing” men’s health projects.
The group is also hosting the No Shave November - Beard and Moustache Contest on November 26.
In Bengaluru, over 175 people have registered in different categories in the contest, says Vishal.
Amerjeet Singh, 66 says this is the second time he’s participating in a beard contest. “I am participating the natural beard contest. I have always done modelling assignments previously,” he says.
So, what kind of preparations did he undergo to groom himself for the contest. “To be frank, I am blessed because of the woman I am married to. Diet is very important for a good beard. She cooks healthy and every Sunday massages my beard and head. She gets all the credit,” says Amarjeet.
“The aim behind the contest is to support awareness and prevention of cancer by growing facial hair during the month of November.
We will be raising funds for YOUWECAN cancer charity on event day,” informs Vishal.
The contest involves six different categories – full beard, partial beard, longest beard, handle bar moustache, comb moustache and the Great Indian moustache.
“All categories will be judged upon the beauty of the facial hair, the length, the shape. Also the hair style and clothing should support the facial hair - depending upon the category and styling aids are permitted,” explains Vishal.
One of the members of the group Patrick Ignatious, 34, a sales official at Network18 tells us he hasn’t shaved since over eight years now. “I trim, but haven’t shaved completely since long,” he says.
Another member Sheldon D’mello, 28, an aerospace engineer at Tech Mahindra has not been shaving for more than one and a half years now. “My mother wasn’t accepting of it initially. She then tried to ask my brother to convince me to shave. None of it worked. She gave up after. She has now accepted me as I am and even tells me how she finds the beard handsome,” says Sheldon.