Roses are red…but they also come in different colors, be it pink, white, yellow, peach, and blue varieties.
Violets are blue…but they are closer to purple too, isn’t it?
Sugar is sweet…yeah, but it will make you diabetic.
Okay, so a day devoted to love sure does take a lot of heat. There are number of haters worldwide especially in India when it comes to St. Valentine’s Week/Day. They have a very unpleasant image about Valentine’s Week/Day; pampering the loved one with flowers, cards, gifts, fancy dinner date etc. But no, it doesn’t always have to involve all of such things to celebrate Valentine’s Week/Day and that’s what I feel; it’s just about expressing love towards each other.
Now, many will tend to question my aforementioned statement that why only one specific day to express love? Why can’t people express love throughout the year? So on this I would like to say why we Indians need only one particular day to celebrate the brother-sister bond called “Raksha Bandhan,” there are other days such as friendship day, women’s day, mother’s day, father’s day, and people celebrate it with a whole lot of zeal without any controversy; except few because they always have something to complain about.
Of course, we don’t need any particular day to celebrate any bond on the earth. But if there are days, then there is nothing wrong in celebrating them, there is nothing wrong in letting your dear ones know that they are loved, appreciated and what they mean to you. In fact it’s just another way to have fun, just another way to take out time and do some extra special things that we usually don’t do and even can’t do on regular basis because of the fact that we all are busy, with a lot of stress, worries, preoccupations, and developments taking up our headspace. There is so much of pressure and monotony in everyone's life that once in a while we all want to escape from it, isn’t it?. And what’s the better way to do so other than celebrating festivals?
Some Indians would still say western people don’t celebrate our festivals then why should we? So let me tell you guys, there are people in western countries who celebrate our festivals too, for eg Diwali. And recently the state of Virginia has declared Pongal day (an Indian festival, also known as Makar Sankranti) as a state holiday there on 14th January.
And then there comes the cultural part. People say that Valentine’s Week/Day is a part of western culture and not ours. I agree people can have their own opinions about everything, but why they tend to be partial? Indians wear jeans, t-shirts, tops, shorts etc, which are all part of western culture and not ours then why you have adopted it? People really have inconsistent hypocrisy. In fact, in some states of India, the note of caution is being raised; right-wing groups vowed to stop people from celebrating Valentine's Week/Day, saying it is against our culture. The group, in some cities, has warned that if boys and girls caught courting in public, they risk being forced to marry. Those groups are nothing, but a bunch of hypocrites doing nothing good for the society. I don't really know what this so-called moral police are up to. Nobody is sort of getting amoral in these places. We all have a right to enjoy our lives. We all have a right to live our lives in our own way. It is a free country.
Just because the concept of the festival called “Valentine’s Week/Day” doesn’t have its foundation stone in India, does not imply that it has to be absolutely inappropriate and incorrect in moral. You should learn to respect every culture and religion; you should understand and take up goodness from every sphere of life. If you can’t praise and respect anyone’s culture, don’t say anything wrong about it at least. No one has the right to say anything wrong about anyone’s culture. Every culture is beautiful in its own way. Isn’t it?
In spite of all the aforementioned things, there are people who love to celebrate the day devoted to love and yeah I am one of them. I feel it’s a nice concept of having some quality time together. Everyone is not open to express themselves easily and this day gives them the perfect excuse to show that they care. Of course, your relationship should not need to hinge on this day, but it should be a day that your relationship can cherish and continue to move forward as it does the other 364 days of the year.
So yeah for me it’s a “sublime.” Whether you’re single or in a relationship, Valentine’s Week/Day has different ways of pulling at your heartstrings. Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine’s Week/Day. Shower your love to your special one, your family, and your near and dear ones
I learned so much from your post. I never thought to look at how other culutres saw VD. I think it is sublime but I have been celebrating with the same guy for 20 years
ReplyDeleteNicely wrote. To me you dont need a day to profess you love someone, should do that everyday.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that other countries actually frown on our American holiday. I’m glad you take a more loving approach to the whole thing. Good for you! Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSo funny I am American and I am just learning some people do celebrate VDay all week. ITs one of my favorite holidays its a sweet holiday if done right dont always need a lover can celebrate with friends!
ReplyDeleteHahaha I love this one especially the beginning. I am not totally opposed to the idea of Valentine's although I am not a very big fan of the day. Nicely written!
ReplyDeleteLove how detailed this post is. I love Valentine’s Day. Me and my husband don’t buy each other things and get in the commercial side of things, instead we just celebrate our love ��
ReplyDeleteI agree. Different countries and different cultures view Valentine's Day differently. To me it's just another day.
ReplyDeleteI have never celebrated Valentine's day in a romantic way because apparently love has ALWAYS eluded me :) The best part, you get to take yourself on a date and treat yourself to a fancy dinner and maybe a spa.
ReplyDeleteValentine’s Day is every day! I do believe that appreciation of other cultures is respectful. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew this. You know I agree don’t say anything bad about someone else’s culture especially if you don’t know anything about it. The worst thing for someone to do is think something is wrong because it’s different. I love to learn about other cultures and I make sure my children learn about other cultures as well. Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to read how other cultures approach Valentine's Day. It's definitely a time of love and showing others just how much you care -- although we should be doing this daily :)
ReplyDeleteDana Peller
Very true. A special day always makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteSublime for me! But I love any excuse to celebrate romance! x
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing how other cultures celebrate certain holidays. I didn't know that others besides Americans celebrate Valentines. This post was very nice to read, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHere in Asia, Valentines Day is one of the busiest time to shop! Also this is a few days before Lunar New Year, sonour attention are quite divided or most of the time give focus on the coking lunar New year with the family.
ReplyDeletethe craze for valentines day started in India in late nineties and I think there is a backing from multinational corporate who wanted to give people one more reason to shop. However its a special day for lovers and that why most people accepted it. Its foreign culture to the Indians but its sweet and have now become one of its own.
ReplyDeleteSublime for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing the same about Valentine's day - there is a mixed feeling about this holiday in India. I am not big into this here in the US as well. I feel love should be expressed all times.
ReplyDeleteTo me its just another day! By the way nice article ❤️
ReplyDeleteYour post was so interesting I didn’t know the history to be honest for me is another comercial just to sell and promote!! I think we should always show the love
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting to know how other cultures see Valentines Day. Great read!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting read! I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day as I think it’s too commercialised!
ReplyDeleteWow this is a very nice post
ReplyDeleteI thought your post was very interesting and informative! I had no idea Valentines Day was looked down upon in other countries! Keep up the great writing. :)
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