Of two businesses in a boomtown

Two stores in the hottest destination of the year stand out and need our good wishes. Both are located in Ayodhya, and one hopes that like every other enterprise in that boomtown, these two also have their business jump manifold in the days, weeks, months and years to come. First on our list is The Fashion Trendz, selling what the shopfront calls ‘Streetwear: Men & Women’s Apparel’. We know what you’re thinking. TFT must be selling namavalis, mendicant couture and Hinduloom cotton ghatwear. But, no, the merchandise includes sophisticated salwars and charming churidars, and even a few nifty blazer-pants sets. It’s no Harrods, sure. But this store in Hanuman Market is Ayodhya City’s couture corner.

Then there’s Ayodhya Hair Wig Patch Center, part of New Manbhawan Men’s Parlour at Nayaghat that’s been around for ages (read: 1982). What looks like an ordinary men’s hair salon on closer look or inquiry reveals itself to be the go-to place for hair replacement of the wig-toupee variety. The place promises to rid baldness by postiche means within one hour thanks to its hair artists. So, you can enter with a Virender Sehwag pate and come out with a Sourav Ganguly head, as the row of before-after photos of satisfied customers on the wall attest. We wish both businesses much success in the yugs to come.