Thanks to more and more Indians going abroad to study, work and becoming permanent citizens in faraway countries, many of the social and cultural events - which have specific significance in those countries - have become popular in our country much to the dismay of many. Consequently, it has been cynically put as a 'cultural import' or a 'cultural onslaught'. With ever improving communications, the boundaries between countries increasingly get to be irrelevant and free social and cultural exchanges are bound to take place.
In understanding such exchanges, a sense of restraint and maturity is a must rather than blindly accepting or aping what appears to be convenient. It's simply because of the fact that people within the country, who haven't had a 'dekho' abroad, do not understand the ethos behind a celebration that's totally alien to them. And the dangerous aftermath is that the more strident amongst them resort to 'cultural talibanism' causing much heartburn and pain.
It's against this backdrop that the celebration of Valentine's day needs to be viewed. If one were to ask me, its biggest advantage seems to be that it provides a considerable dose of verve to the 'timid' to put across his/her feelings to the object of desire - not necessarily resulting in positive endings, though!
I'm, however, amused by the pedestrian interpretation of love that's usually on display during the occasion. Love's a deeper feeling that one has for the other that transcends time and the operative word is 'give'. And the expression of love can never be confined to a single day! Love, in the Indian ethos, is all encompassing and has a wider meaning!!
Nevertheless, let's wish ourselves a 'happy Valentine's day' to be with the current trends and to keep away from being mistaken for an entity from the 'palaeolithic age'!!!
In understanding such exchanges, a sense of restraint and maturity is a must rather than blindly accepting or aping what appears to be convenient. It's simply because of the fact that people within the country, who haven't had a 'dekho' abroad, do not understand the ethos behind a celebration that's totally alien to them. And the dangerous aftermath is that the more strident amongst them resort to 'cultural talibanism' causing much heartburn and pain.
It's against this backdrop that the celebration of Valentine's day needs to be viewed. If one were to ask me, its biggest advantage seems to be that it provides a considerable dose of verve to the 'timid' to put across his/her feelings to the object of desire - not necessarily resulting in positive endings, though!
I'm, however, amused by the pedestrian interpretation of love that's usually on display during the occasion. Love's a deeper feeling that one has for the other that transcends time and the operative word is 'give'. And the expression of love can never be confined to a single day! Love, in the Indian ethos, is all encompassing and has a wider meaning!!
Nevertheless, let's wish ourselves a 'happy Valentine's day' to be with the current trends and to keep away from being mistaken for an entity from the 'palaeolithic age'!!!
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