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Bangalore barber celebrates Mandela's b'day... in his own way!

A barber in Bangalore has celebrated South African leader Nelson Mandela's 80th birthday in a unique way.

Muthuraj, with the help of 120 likeminded hair-trimmers, marked the occasion by giving haircuts to nearly 5,000 people in the city. They invaded slums and other areas to meet their target.

Karnataka assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar was present at the inauguration of the day-long celebration. Among those who paid their repect to Mandela on the occasion was Dalit poet Siddalingaiah.

"Mandela symbolises sacrifice," says the barber, ''This is the only way I can show respect to a man the world adores.''

Muthuraj's ambition is to give Mandela a haircut -- absolutely free of charge, of course!

UNI

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