Ludhiana : With Bollywood and fashion weeks having a greater influence in our outlook than ever, hairdressers are no more being considered as mere workers who make us look good. They are the new style gurus. As people have started to spend more money and time to better their looks, a new era creed of barbers has arrived in India.

"In fact, a skilled hairdresser is earning way more than engineers, doctors and lawyers," said Indra Ahluwalia, founder of the newly-launched Grace Training Institute. The training institute is the latest in a series of hair dressing salons in the city. Ludhiana already boasts of having branded hairdressing institutes like VLCC, Habib and Venus.

"World needs good hairdressers. India alone needs more than two-and-a-half lakh professional hairdressers. A simple barber at the corner of your street is not equipped enough to treat your hair according to the new fashion trends. To give a global touch to your hair, you need to visit a trained hairdresser," he added.

The beauty industry has created several jobs all over the world. Becoming a hairdresser has become a very good option for the youth of Punjab. Even those with agriculture background are opting to become hairdressers, which was once a profession only opted by a particular class, he added. "I have many students who belong to traditional landlord families of villages. However, the mindset is changing now. A hairdresser is not perceived as a low-profile person," said Abhey Girdher, Piazza Hairdresser Training Centre.