New Delhi: Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot to fame after shooting down a F-16 fighter aircraft of Pakistan, also became popular for his signature style of moustache, which came to be known by his name.
On Monday, as he received a gallantry award from President Ram Nath Kovind, his changed style was a topic of discussion amid netizens.
"I take immense pride in congratulating IAF ace pilot Group Captain #AbhinandanVarthaman who got awarded the Vir Chakra today by the President. He was in the limelight for shooting down a PAF F-16 fighter aircraft on Feb 27, 2019. I miss his long moustache. Feeling very Proud," said a Twitter user.
Another twitter user said, "MISS YOU YOUR 'tagda' (strong) #Moustache VEER".
The Group Captain of IAF, who was a Wing Commander when he shot down a F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan from his Mig-21, was presented a Vir Chakra, the third highest wartime gallantry award by the President on Monday.
His citation said on February 27 (a day after Balakot air strike) pursued a retreating enemy fighter bomber, and shot down a F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan.
His Mig-21 aircraft was shot down by the enemy, forcing him to eject in enemy territory, where he was captured by Pakistan and was in captivity for over two days.
The citation said "despite being captured by the enemy, he continued to display exceptional resolve in dealing with the adversary in a stoic."
His gunslinger moustache style came to be known as "Abhinandan Moustache". At the time, several barber shops even offered Abhinandan's signature moustache styling for free.
Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had demanded that it should be declared "national moustache".
Gunslinger beard and moustache style has flared sideburns with a horseshoe-shaped moustache.
The look became a rage across the country as he was hailed as a hero for shooting down enemy aircraft.
He was first seen in his new style when he was featured in a photo with former Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (retd) in September 2019. (UNI)