THE TREND SETTER !!

Jawed Habib never imagined a future so grand and successful till he got his inspiration in a pit of scissors. Today with more than 850 stores and 65 training academies under his name, he clearly led the hair styling and fashion revolution in India.

I was fortunate and escatic to see such passion, in a young boy, 15 years old, called Sahil. He lives in Delhi and stays with his family in a small one room house in Paschim Vihar.

The reason i am introducing him to you and the world is that he is the youngest stylist /barber i have ever met in my life and more importantly whom i have allowed to use his skills on me.

As i entered this Salon in Paschim Vihar i saw all the stations were occupied so i took a seat in the waiting area, picked up a newspaper and kept myself busy waiting for my turn to arrive. After about ten minutes one guy who appeared the senior most or perhaps the owner asked me " Kya karwana hai ?"

I said, " Just a face clean up and shave around my cheeks"

He said " Bus 5 min wait karo, kisi ko lagata hoon"

Next i heard from Sahil looking right into my eyes." Aiyee Sir" patting a chair with his hand. And i looked at him in amazement " tum Karoge ?"

He smiled back at me in affirmation.

At this moment i was a unsure and a bit confused as to what to say and what to do. Mind was clearly at conflict with the heart with multiple thoughts crossing the mind.

Shouldn't this boy be studying rather than using the razor and scissors ?

Isn't this officially illegal for an underage boy to work in a salon ?

Is there a family crisis which has led to this circumstances ?

May be he is the sole bread earner for his humble family ?

And on the other hand

Will this small boy be able to do his job properly ?

Will i end up with a few scars ?

Should i give him a chance to boost his confidence even if i was an experiment for him or his owner ?

I looked at my watch, thinking, do i have time to get all the answers before i give him a green signal. The answer was NO. I told myself, lets do this and asked him to go ahead " Ache se karna"

To be honest i did pray to god for my protecting my beard. Its a lot of hard work to grow and a lot of pride too.

In no time Sahil sprang into action. He got me a towel, adjusted the chair for mine and his own height, got a fresh blade and fitted it nicely into the razor, a water bottle spray and he started his job like a professional, like it meant everything to him. We were done in about 10 minutes. I stared at the mirror, Perfect job, no cuts, diligent with finese and i had no reason to complain.

I smiled at him and said to him " I want your picture as you are the youngest stylist i have ever had"

He happily obliged !!

I then asked him " Padhai likhai ka kya hua?

He said " Chal rahi hai sir, aaj itwaar hai isliye jaldi a gaya varna main shaam main hi ata hoon"

I paid the money and i left the salon, more puzzled than what i was when i entered it. I didn't know whether i was feeling good / excited for the boy or i was upset /sorry to see him working when he should be studying.

There was something about his smile which made me think that this boy cum man is living his life for his family by supporting them and have his destiny planned in his head.

In the end Hope, Dreams, hard work and the willingness to stand up and do something is always the winner for me. Its never the age but the ability, need and passion which fuels your own destiny.

I always feel inspiration doesn't need a story teller. It's always around us and in the streets of Delhi.. We just have to look around and it will find us.

I will always wish well for Sahil and hope this cute little boy grows up to be an educated man pursuing his dreams, perhaps an owner of a chain of salon one day. Amen !! ????