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Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold. — Zelda Fitzgerald Reams and reams have been written on the subject of love which has a special significance for all. Some fall in love and others rise in it. Wars have been fought over it; emperors have abdicated their thrones and people beheaded in blind rage of the spurned. All for love.
The one day in the year that most signifies love is February 14, the Valentine’s Day when people express their affections for others. The day when love is celebrated and gifts exchanged. Legend links the day to early third century Roman priest Valentine who solemnised secret marriages for lovers who were barred from matrimony by Emperor Claudius-ll, who laboured under the impression that single soldiers made better warriors. He was apprehended and dragged before the emperor who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. Valentine was martyred on February 14, 270 A.D. Symbols
of love In modern times the symbols of love have changed and so have the ideas of gifts and the venues of exchanging them. Valentine’s Day is celebrated at discos, pubs, pizza parlours, cineplexes and other hangout joints of the young. Gifts are exchanged and promises made of undying love. As hotels and restaurant get into the act with special festivals for Valentine’s Day, marketing companies and consumer goods pull out all stops to promote their business.
But why is a western concept like the Valentine’s Day celebrated with such pomp in India? " There’s nothing western or eastern about love, is there?" asks Abhishek Pande, a BA-II college student. "Valentine’s Day is for all those who value love no matter where they are and what their age is. Isn’t it a great idea to exchange gifts and cards?" Multi-billion
industry Almost a century ago, in 1915 when Joyce Hall started selling Valentine’s Day cards from two shoe boxes, little did the teenager realise that she was laying the foundation for a mega business. Today her Hallmark cards sell in 30 different languages in more than a 100 countries! Archies and Paper Rose are the other card majors in India. Greeting cards this Valentine’s Day are in hues of reds and pinks—- colours of love. There are special cards for first-time lovers, for those who been steady in love. There are cards with paper hearts stuck to them, pop-up cards, musical cards and funny cards. Since love is not restricted to lovers alone this Valentine, there are cards for all relatives—-mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt and friend. Diamonds
are forever Forest Essentials has brought out its Pink range to celebrate Valentine’s. There is a exclusive Valentine hamper priced at Rs 1975 that has a heart- shaped sugar soap, rose hand and body lotion and rose bath and shower oil. The Indi Store by Alex Davis at Shahpur Jat in Delhi has introduced its Hyper Blooms collection for the Valentine’s Day, which includes heliconia and rose flowers made in steel with Italian paint. Chitih Sparkling Gems has introduced their latest Valentine’s Day collection to celebrate love and oneness in delicate, and exquisitely heart-shaped designs which have been created for that special lady in your life. This enticing creation has been conceptualised using semi-precious stones in silver. Delhi-based Devi Design has brought out charming heart-shaped bowls in brass and aluminum, artistically designed ready to carry baubles and bubbles, reassuring love and more. Special
significance A growing number of young people like Shruti, believe that Valentine’s Day means something more than just the exchange of gifts and hanging out. It means commitment, trust and eventual marriage. As Father David Lurem of Delhi’s Holy Cross Church sums up, "The day celebrates true love. It has sanctity and purity that goes beyond just the spirit of merry-making and fun. For people in love it is a special day to thank God for all the happiness he has bestowed upon them." — NF
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