Tejan Hair Cutting Salon

Out in Irba, near Ranchi, you will find Tejan Hair Cutting Salon. It’s a quiet place compared to the big cities, but we stay busy enough with the people from the village and nearby areas. The shop is a simple building with a tin roof that makes a lot of noise when it rains. We have a couple of chairs and some basic mirrors. I’ve been cutting hair here for a long time, and I know almost everyone who walks through the door by their first name. We talk about the crops, the local news, and family stuff while I work. It’s not just about the haircut; it’s a place where people meet up. The light inside comes mostly from the open door during the day. We have a small battery-powered light for when the electricity goes off, which happens quite often out here. I keep my scissors and combs in a wooden drawer and make sure they are always ready. There isn’t any air conditioning, just a ceiling fan that wobbles a little. People don't expect anything fancy here. They just want a decent haircut and a bit of a chat. When the sun goes down, I lock up the shop and head home. It’s a humble way to make a living, but it’s what I know and what my family has done. We’re right there in Irba if you ever find yourself passing through.