It's special
Though I hardly celebrate it nowadays, Valentine's Day has its own unique significance for me. Valentine's Day was one of the occasions celebrated each year in my primary school with great enthusiasm! I did my elementary schooling in the US, where Valentine's Day meant a day full of fun and games for all students. Our designated 'classroom moms' would decorate our classrooms with bright red, pink, and white balloons and streamers. We kids were required to bring in shoe-boxes which we would spend the entire morning session decorating with heart-shaped cut-outs and plenty of glitter, while the entire afternoon session was party time. We would 'eat our hearts' out; our plates loaded with candy hearts bearing comical phrases such as 'Valentine, I Chews You,' as well as heart-shaped cookies and fruit punch.The best part of Valentine's Day was receiving Valentine cards from my classmates in my shoe-box, because each of them would take the time to write something they really liked about me. Remembering this makes me realise that Valentine's Day isn't just about loving someone; it's mostly about taking the time out to let someone know that they're special. And this is exactly what makes Valentine's Day special.
Sumitra Narayanan, II Year, ECE, SRM University
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My first and last Valentine's
The girl I fell for was in my school, she was the only reason for Valentine's Day having any significance in my life. Now here is an incident, which could be branded comic, even tragic, depending on the way you see it.It was a sunny Monday morning, about four years ago. I was at school and there was all this hype about the day being Valentine's Day. All those people who were lucky enough to find that special someone, had planned surprises, written poems, made mixed tapes and all that which they hoped would make their sweethearts fall flat for them. I had a crush (large one to be exact) on a friend of mine in class, and as this was the first time I was having this overwhelming, helplessly falling feeling I didn't know how to let her know how I felt. I convinced myself to get her a gift and tell her how I felt when I gave it to her. It was super-hard deciding what to get her, she was the smartest and most popular person at school so I needed to get her something which would encapsulate all that, but then when your in love your brain does not usually function properly and I ended up getting her a set of pens (geeky gift, I know). The moment of truth was around the corner, it was now or never, She was sitting across the playground with her friends and I had to muster up enough confidence, to do what I had to do. I managed to walk half the distance towards her without much hesitation, but as I neared my target demographic, I felt my pulse raising, my palms were sweating and I had pretty much forgotten everything I wanted to say to her. As I went up to her, amidst the bitter-sweet torture, a friend of hers (and also mine) came to me, hugged me and told me that she had a crush on me, and assumed that the gift I got was for her. I could not say or do anything (confusion always does that to guys). As she was a really close friend of mine I did not want to hurt her and I went with the flow, although I was excusing myself for what I was doing. After this I have almost refrained myself from doing anything on this day. And the girl who I had a large crush on, well we lost touch with each other, and also the propotion of the crush has diminished significantly and I am enjoying life being single. Eevery year Valentine's Day is very special to me. My parents had a love marriage so every year my dad presents a gift to my mom. I don't expect anything from my friends though I message them without fail.
Nikhil Jonathan, Hindustan University IInd year Mechanical Engineering
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And many more…
I didn't know much about February 14 until I joined an engineering college here in Chennai. All the so-called dress colour codes were taught to me in my very first year. Hence on my first Valentine's day in Chennai, I had worn a light green shirt (intentionally of course). But nothing happened! But before the next Valentine's Day, When I was in college I had befriended one of my classmates. Unfortunately, boys and girls were not supposed to socialise in our college. So with great risks, we had to meet only in libraries and murmur amidst the book racks. So it all happened that I met her on Valentine's Day in the library and all that I could do was to just shake her hands and wish her. Well, I could still remember her black salwar, her enchanting smile and what more? I had fallen in love indeed. Days passed away with phone calls and frequent dining out. So I had planned to impress her by buying her a romantic gift for the next Valentine's Day. Anna University published my semester results on the night of February 13. As I didn't score as expected, I was shattered and except a simple wish through phone, I couldn't even meet her. But after that, it has been a smooth journey for both of us — caring words, silly quarrels, mesmerising smiles — I had felt true love in her and the feeling still lingers on, even as we both have celebrated two more Valentine's Days together. And, waiting joyfully for this year's Valentine's Day.
Prabu, Preparing for civil services exam, Anna Institute Management
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Why just one day?
Do we really need a particular day to express our affections to the one we love the most? India is a land of poets and great lovers all through the centuries and we have the TAJ MAHAL to prove the symbol of love. But did the emperor wait till a particular date to express his love? I think love stays in the air for as long as we are able to feel it and it stays long after this particular day. I do not deny the fact that Valentine's Day really adds a special tinge to my feelings but devoting a whole page and bout 200 words for this western influence into our culture is just steppind out of the line. Happy Valentine's Day everyone, but don't wait for this date to express it.
Sourabh Banerjee, SVCE
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Love messenger
I vividly recall the day I received a card addressed to me along with another colleague's name. My heart skipped a beat. There was no sender's name on it. From the postal stamp and the handwriting on the cover I could make out who it could be. My guess was confirmed when I walked up to her and feigning innocence opened the cover in her presence. She squirmed in her seat and requested that the contents be passed on to my colleague on her behalf. That sparked off a series of exchanges between the two of them in terms of not just cards, but sweets and sweet nothings.
M. S. Vaidyanathan
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Fun day for stags
February 14 has always been a funny day for me. Every year I'd be very careful about what I wear this day as they say every colour has a different meaning. I always wear brown as I think it has no special meaning. Whatever colour I wear there will be a scientist amidst us who can find an instant meaning relating to the colour. I will be cautious not to wear anything with a heart on it and if I do my friends would narrate a touching love story involving me of which I wouldn't even be aware of. For people who are single like me it's just a day of fun watching all these people falling for each other and doing things that may seem meaningless for the crowd of singles.
V. Ganga Bharani, III Year, CSE, Sri Sairam Engineering College
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Spread the message
I'm quite certain most of the articles on this page will have young enthusiastic readers turning their nose up at Valentine's Day, rambling on about how it has merely become a day to shower expense on a person in the name of love. You have the moralistic group preaching about values and culture when they so obviously lack it themselves. Primarily having its origins in the West, I'm of the view that Valentine's Day need not be dedicated to young couples alone. Show your love to your family, kids, grandparents or even a homeless man. So, go ahead and celebrate. This is the day of Love. And it does come just once a year.
Vinoo Kurian Thomas, Final Year, ECE, Sri Sai Ram Engineering College
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Language barrier
When I was in high school learning typing and shorthand was the rule of the day. Two of my friends and I(all girls) used to learn it from an institute close to our place. There was this good-looking boy who used to leave a letter (obviously love letter) on my typewriter. As it was written in Tamil (and I cannot read and write Tamil) I thought It was for one of my the-always-traditionally-dressed-friend. This was going on for more than six months. On Valentine' s Day while on our way back home, this boy with his two friends on bikes, suddenly stopped us and angrily asked me for a reply and a reason why I had not answered any of his letters? To my utter shock I told him that I never knew it was meant for me and that I thought it was for one of my friends more so because it was written in a language which I didn't know. For one minute all of us were quiet and then we burst out laughing.
Padmasini Vaidynathan
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Family time
Valentine's Day is the day when most of the people tell their dear ones how much they love they them. It is very special. Valentine's Day is not only for lovers, couples but it is for every one. And the people I celebrate my Valentine's Day with my family. I just love them my dad mom and my sister. We bring a cake and celebrate it each year, then we go for a movie and have dinner outside.
Yash Sundar
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Mega proposal
When I was browsing through the Internet, I came across a very interesting spectacle. I was surveying New York, one of my favourite cities, and zoomed onto the rooftops of some high rise buildings when I was suddenly arrested by something so dramatic and oh so romantic! Being a die-hard romantic at heart, this sight just held me spellbound. Scrawled in chalk, or so it seems, across the roof in bold letters were the words, *WILL U MARRY ME?' A beautiful sentiment indeed, though I wonder if the person for whom it was meant got to read it.
Asha
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Sisterly love
I look forward to Valentine's Day every year just to showcase my love in a special form on this day. It is a practice between me and my sister to share friendship bands with each other on Valentine's Day. It sounded very funny to our friends. But when we think back, we can correlate love with friendship, and friendship with any relationship. Love when shared, gets doubled. So don't restrict it to just your lovers. Share it with everybody.
Anuradha Prakash
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