When not pursuing their profession, a breed of doctors prefer to wear different hats to keep themselves fit and centered. The HEALTH PIONEER tries to catch up with them every week.

According to Victorian writer Thomas S Gowing, “The absence of Beard is usually a sign of physical and moral weakness.” Letting it grow is “reverencing the Creator’s laws as above the dictates of man”.

Dr. Himanshu Verma, Head of Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplant at one of the country’s premier medical institutions, Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi who wears a well-groomed beard, agrees. A beard does draw attention. Most of the popular style icons like Ben Affleck and George Clooney too had once started growing one too.

For Dr Verma, keeping a beard is a symbol of manliness and, in fact, “It’s not about just Beards, it’s about Beards With Substance,” he stresses.

 “Whether it is long or short, I always have a beard. Beard is an asset that can make most men look quite suave and masculine,” the 39-year-old doctor muses his childhood memories that connect him with Rambo-like characters equated with masculinity.

Dr Verma, a gold medalist in DM (Nephrology) from prestigious RML Hospital in Delhi finds a parallel in bearded scientists like Darwin and Aristotle known for their wisdom. He feels keeping a beard has several benefits. For instance, “it protects skin from the harmful Ultraviolet rays; it can add a layer of protection to your chin and neck; Your beard and moustache works as a filter that helps to keep allergens from entering your nose and mouth, thereby reducing chance of skin infections.”

Data says, the average man spends approximately 4.5 months in shaving. Imagine all the time you would save and…