Growing City

The last Valentine's Day of the century is all set to rake the hearts of youngsters. The season of love is in the air and the city stands...

The last Valentine’s Day of the century is all set to rake the hearts of youngsters. The season of love is in the air and the city stands all set to give it a go. Without doubt, this is the only day for which our sweet, tender and fragile hearts long. It is the day when all and sundry is free to say what he or she feels.

Over the years, Chandigarh has emerged as more accommodating and frank for such red-letter days. It kicks the old and conservative kind of attitude of the older generation. The fervour and zeal of this day is marked by the traffic-jam on the gheri route in Sector 10 and 11. The lovers-lane queues up the university campus. It is more like a huge procession, but with a difference.

If you love someone, express it, or so they say. And this is most opportune time to call it a day. Go ahead. Offer a rose. Say it in words. And the whole world is yours. But do it if you really love someone. All the major shops in the city have come up with exclusive packages for Valentine’s Day. Newspapers are at their very best too, carrying the nicest messages sent by you for your loved one. Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday this time, but it will do little to dampen the spirit of young lovers. Saturday will replace Sunday, adding a hilarious angle to the festivities.

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Then there were some different, touching posters pasted in the City. One of them goes: " Start a trend, bring along a friend. Donate blood on Valentine’s day." Such initiatives make the day more purposeful. Valentine’s Day has a far more enriching significance. Besides wooing around, gheris’and parties, the day beckons at us to be more conscious of our contribution as a human being. Love is like a fragrance. It jumps by leaps and bounds. It knows no territories. It is the one true emotion which binds people and runs through our veins. We must spread it to the unfortunate ones, who live in the cauldron of hatred and jealousy.

People have been known to celebrate the day by giving aid to the poor, others by planting trees and getting back to nature. These things may not appear hep and cool to some, but the essence of the day is love’ – be it anyway.

Unlike other days like Friendship Day, Forgiveness Day, Rose Day etc., Valentine’s Day stands a cut above the rest. Unfortunately, the celebrations last year were marred by misdemeanors of some boys in the university. This time, one hopes the day is one of love, not vulgarity of any kind.

So, how many roses will you buy ? I know a friend who bought 20 last time. Do buy at least one, especially those who haven’t yet said the magic words yet. The day calls to you. That’s what loving, feeling, caring, sharing is all about ! That’s the essence of Valentine’s Day. And if you are lonesome like me, pray to God to give you your love by the next Valentine’s Day.

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The writer is a B.A. II student of S.D. College.