Itchy moustaches and prickly beards

Some years back, I had to bid a tearful adieu to my moustache and had penned this moving epitaph when I was caught in the resulting maelstrom of emotions.

Now, BBC News reports that India’s famous facial hairs are disappearing as India enters the clean-shaven digital age. It quotes a book as saying that that the traditional belief that facial hair is a sign of virility appears to be facing the chop. Young people in particular do not want an itchy moustache or beard which they think makes them look old.

Apparently, clean chins are becoming more commonplace among younger people who no longer have role models sporting beards or moustaches.

What have I done to this country? I never realised that, by removing my fearsome moustache, I was robbing the young people of a powerful role model.