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Gandhi & Nehru's Barber: A Legacy of Hair
4 May
Summary
- Javed Habib's grandfather served historical figures like Gandhi and Nehru.
- Grandfather worked at Rashtrapati Bhavan from 1935 to 1972.
- His father refused a role at the President's house for global ambitions.
Celebrity hairstylist Javed Habib recently shared insights into his family's rich history in hairdressing. His grandfather, Nazir Ahmed, began his career as a barber at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 1935, then known as the Governor's House. For decades, he provided haircuts to everyone residing there.
Ahmed's professional reach extended to notable historical figures; he cut the hair of Mahatma Gandhi and was a regular client of Jawaharlal Nehru, who even gifted him a watch. This era was characterized by a sense of camaraderie across different statuses.
Following his grandfather's retirement, Habib's father was offered a position at Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, he chose a different path, accepting a sponsored hairdressing course in London, influenced by Lord Mountbatten, and later joined the Oberoi Group, establishing a strong foundation for the family's future in the industry.
