Gathering of 100-odd at Kottakkunnu in Malappuram share their experiences

When scores of bearded youngsters gathered at Kottakkunnu here on Sunday evening, it became the talk of the town and was a path-breaking event for similar groups to emulate.

At first, many thought it was a casual meeting when youngsters sporting beards of different style began to reach the table-top tourist destination here. Soon it became a gathering of considerable size and style.

Plan for charity

People watched them with curiosity as the group members started to discuss an action plan of charity. “There’s no point in making a gathering without giving something back to society,” said Arshad.

There was much joy and fun when the 100-odd gathering shared their experiences. Most of them said they had undergone some kind of bitter experience because of their beard at some point of time in their life. Some of them had been made fun of; some others branded extremists.

“Yet we all want to be different. That’s the driving spirit behind this beard,” said Mr. Arshad.

They said they were enjoying their carefully maintained beards. But maintaining it has not been easy for them. It requires frequent washing and oiling. “But it’s an asset. People come for selfie with us wherever we go,” they said.

Change in perception

They said society too had begun to change its perception of beards. There was a time when the beard was looked down upon as a mark of dejection and drug abuse. Today, they said, beard has acquired a good deal of dignity in society.

The listeners could not help laughing when one of them said that he had been forced to shave off his beard by a policeman for no reason once.

Not all men sporting beard could be a part of the gathering. They had to be 23 and above and should be working.