Growing up in the home of the SOS Childrens’ Village Guwahati, Manashi had never dreamt that she’d become a recognised stylist one day. Now the 19-year-old is one of the most in-demand hair stylists at a popular salon in Chennai.
After she completed her 10th grade public examination, she was told that she was selected for a training opportunity at the Schwarzkopf training academy in Chennai. As part of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), the haircare products company runs an initiative called ‘Shaping the Future’, where youngsters are provided jobs in the makeover industry.
Elaborating more about the process of the initiative, the regional head of Schwarzkopf, Bony Sasidharan says, “It is a global initiative where we provide training to the underprivileged and give them job opportunities in the hair dressing industry. There is an interview where we study the potential and passion of the candidate and then conduct a full-length training programme.”
Having also trained Manashi in Chennai, the duo also went on a Berlin World Tour for stylists, where Manashi displayed her hair dressing skills in front of a hundred other stylists. Talking more about the whole process, Manashi shares excitedly, “I am so grateful to have gotten this opportunity. I thought lip stick and powder was make-up when I was a child. I didn’t know the depth of this industry until I was given the exposure. Not many girls back in my place are aware that professional styling is an actual job that pays well. I am happy that my experience is giving them some knowledge. Opportunity only knocks once and I want people to take it. I was performing in front of talented stylists in Berlin, and although I was nervous, I loved doing what I was doing. I knew then that I love the profession more than I’ve imagined. I’m lucky that I’ve gotten this opportunity and I’ll make the best use of it!”
On impacting the lives of youngsters, Bony shares, “In some parts of India, hairdressing is still viewed as a caste-oriented profession. There is a gradual change happening and through this we will be able to empower many young boys and girls to take this up as a career.”
