Divya Beauty Parlour

Divya Beauty Parlour is tucked away at 473 -A, right behind the Feroze Gandhi Market in Ludhiana. Being near Ferozepur Road means there is always a lot of noise and people rushing about. I have been running this place for a while now. It is not on the main street, so you have to know where to turn to find us. The shop isn't very large, but I’ve tried to make it look decent with some lights and a couple of posters on the walls. Most of the women who come here live nearby or work in the market offices. They usually drop in during their lunch break or after they finish their shopping. I handle everything myself, from the threading to the hair washing. The sink leaks a tiny bit if I turn the tap too far, so I have to be careful with that. In the afternoons, when it gets hot, the shop is a nice place to hide from the sun. I usually have a cup of tea around four o’clock, right before the evening rush starts. It is a simple setup with three chairs and a big shelf for all the bottles and jars. I don't go for anything too flashy. I just focus on the task at hand. It is hard work standing all day, but seeing the same faces every week makes it feel like a community. I keep a small radio playing to drown out the market noise.