Government shouldn't solely rely on moustache power to deter ATM robbers

Moustaches as an attribute of manliness has been undergoing a bit of a downturn of late as bare upper lips have become the norm even in India despite legendary connotations. It is, therefore, heartening to note that our parliamentarians still think prominent moustaches can be intimidating enough to become a deterrent against robberies at least when it comes to cash-vending machines. There is no doubt that many of the bank security guards protecting ATM machines are too spindly to be deemed sufficiently fearsome, which could be contributing to the rise in heists. Whether moustaches can remedy that is moot, though. However, that the minister of state for finance — cleanshaven himself, incidentally — actually mentioned this purported suggestion of some fellow legislators as part of possible ‘strengthening’ measures for the security personnel shows that the moustache retains something of its old bristle.

While the government should do its bit to train security guards, it surely cannot order them to change their facial appearance, as not every man has the means to grow and maintain sufficiently menacing moustaches. Providing the guards pairs of artificial whiskers in suitably daunting sizes could be contemplated. Of course, banks and government should not rely merely on moustaches to solve the problem.