TV
In Chandbali locality of Bhadrak district, 57-year-old boatman Akhil Biswas has become a local celebrity, not for his profession, but for his extraordinary five-feet-long moustache, which he considers more precious than wealth and plans to carry with him to the afterlife.
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According to sources, the elderly boatman Akhil from Shastrighat under Chandbali Notified Area Council (NAC) limits in the district has earned local fame, thanks to an unusually long five-foot moustache. He has carefully nurtured it since the age of 20, and despite his age, maintains it with pride and care.
Akhil wears his moustache in different styles—sometimes curling it around his ears, and other times letting it fall in a plait-like fashion behind his head. When untied, it reaches to his abdomen.
Tourists travelling from Chandbali to Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district often spot him on his boat, where he becomes an instant attraction. Many take selfies with him, and some even tip him out of admiration.
The elderly boatman openly declares that while no one will take their riches along after death, he will certainly take his beloved moustache.
“This is my greatest treasure,” he says with pride. His fascination with the moustache is deep and sincere, with no financial motive—just personal joy.
It took nearly six years to grow the moustache back to its current length after he was forced to cut it following his father's death. Despite that setback, his devotion remained unshaken, and he resumed growing it back with even more dedication.
Apart from being a boatman for tourists visiting Bhitarkanika and nearby areas, Akhil is also a traditional fisherman. His son Anil proudly supports and respects his father's unusual passion, calling the moustache “a symbol of identity and dignity.”
Akhil’s words resonate with many: “In the end, family members may take away your jewellery, relatives may divide your property—but no one can take your moustache.” For him, it’s not just hair—it’s heritage.
“Visitors enjoy my father’s moustache and take a selfie with him. I am 35 years old now, and I have been seeing my father like this since my childhood,” Akhil’s son stated.
Reported By: Trilochan Sahu
