Pearl D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Feb 14: While our neighbouring country chooses to ban it altogether, the day of love swings between celebration and opposition in ours. Valentine's Day, a popular global observance continues to grow increasingly popular in India over the years, particularly among young people.
While romance-packed songs from the radio resound within the four walls of our house, we see happy faces in shades of pink and red, on the street and public spaces, some unabashedly displaying their support, some unconcerned. It’s meant to be a happy day for people happily in love.
'Decadent western influence'
The concept of Valentine's Day is said to have gained prominence, at the dawn of the neo-liberal era in 1991, with the culture of heavy gifting, expensive dinners, cards, and ingenious ways to express romantic love. But, to some, it’s a day to resist the "corruptive" western culture.
Police continue to be deployed in public places to prevent any clamp down on couples by vigilantes. Over the years, media has carried reports of the day being frowned upon, greeting cards being burnt, couples forcibly being married, others threatened to be photographed if caught displaying affection in public and symbolic marriage between a goat and a dog, among other antics.
On the flip side, while our ever-developing society continues to be marred by constant moral policing, the ubiquitous pop-culture continues to influence, pump emotions and fuel unrealistic aspirations, including romantic. Fallout of such is 'eve teasing' and persistent expressal of affection where it is uninvited. This too remains an ailment that decays the spirit of love, where love is put in a box and sealed in the name of culture.
The day of love, with an element of devotion, gave birth to Matra Pitra Pujan Divas in 2012, by a religious leader. Following which, today, a few states today celebrate February 14 as Parent-Worship Day.
Giving a different angle to love, a group that calls itself 'Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women' offered to send pink underwear, as a comical payback to the city's pub-attack orchestrater, in 2009 on Valentine's. Thus, fostering a more liberal spirit for women.
Shades of Love
This Valentine’s Day, in all-inclusive theme to suit our culture and unbox that fountain of affection, couples or people who want to celebrate the day can seek to make the others around them happy. Especially paying a visit to old folks homes, orphanage, spending time with those who are lonely and battling for life. Sharing some food and encouragement. Even distributing sweets, clothes and goodies to the poor and needy is a wonderful gesture of love.
These deeds of kindness and sharing will bloom into bountiful blossoms of acts of kindness and love. This example of sharing love and concern with less fortunate will be a mark left behind in the young minds for emulation.
Soon, we will see people everywhere catching on this idea of Valentine's Day celebration in India with a difference. With changing face of India, it's time to bring about some changes to bring the best in our culture and spirit in the name of Valentine's Day celebration with a difference!