Nai, the barber caste, which is widespread in northern India. Because of the ambulatory nature of the profession, which requires going to patrons’ houses, the barber plays an important part in village life, spreading news and matchmaking. Certain castes assign a role to the barber in their domestic
India captivates and overwhelms the senses of all who visit with its vibrant colors, immense crowds, and overpowering smells. One of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, India is filled with more than 2,500 distinct people groups who speak over 456 languages. A staggering one billion people are dispersed over one million square miles. Tremendous recent economic growth has led to an increasingly important role in global affairs. Yet the permeating and ever-present reality of India’s extensive poverty remains.