Babuya Saloon

Our shop is right in the middle of the bustle at Panitanki More. Being near Bidhan Market means there is always someone passing by on Panitanki Road. Siliguri stays busy, especially this part of it. The shop itself is just a regular room with some big mirrors and the usual barber chairs. I try to keep the place organized, but with so many people coming in and out, it gets messy fast. You can hear the sounds of the market all day long. It's mostly locals who stop in, though sometimes we get people visiting the market from further away. I’ve spent many years behind these chairs. You learn a lot about people just by listening while you work. We don't have any big signs or bright lights, just the name on the front. I usually keep a jug of water for anyone who's thirsty. The weather here can be unpredictable, so we’ve seen plenty of people ducking in to escape a sudden rain. It’s not a fancy place by any means. Just a spot where you can get your hair looked after without a fuss. We open early and stay until the market starts to quiet down at night. Every morning I sweep the front step and get things ready for the first customer. It's just a regular business running day to day. We don't have a lot of staff, usually just one or two of us working the chairs.