Obsessed. That’s one word that pretty much defines people when the 14th of February comes around.
It seemed like Cupid itself had painted the country in red this year. It seemed like every shop had dangling hearts and a “Valentines” theme. Huge underground parties were planned with, let’s just say, morally questionable stuff on the agenda.
Hosts on popular TV shows were wearing red. I’ll give you one try as to what the topic of the day was. Yeah. You guessed it.
Cars were filled with heart shaped balloons. Universities were a swarm of red clothed ladies and black laden guys.
I don’t remember Valentines Day being such a big deal even 5 years back. So what has changed? What has contributed to the exponential rise of its popularity?
I believe it’s a combination of many things. But most of all, technology.
It has played a big part in the rise in popularity of Valentines Day. Countless targeted advertisements spring up near the 14th. Mobile companies reduce their call rates and slash prices on texts as well as introduce new packages just for this occasion.
This ease of communication, while being good, has got our youth hooked.
You no longer have to search for the perfect gift; you can just browse online, select it, and get it delivered. All in a few clicks from the comfort of your home.
Restaurants have special deals for couples and so on. The thing is, we have been led to believe that Valentines is “the” day for everything romantic.
How much you care about someone is judged according to how special you make this day.
So basically, if you take part, you’re contributing to its popularity. And if you don’t take part, you’re risking the wrath of your significant other. Both hands tied one might say.
Valentines is not just an occasion anymore, it’s a phenomenon. It is the second most profitable time of the year for the card companies. Flower and chocolate sales suddenly spike too. Shop keepers and vendors take full advantage of this popularity and increase prices of items that can be given as gifts etc.
A gentleman came up to my car and tried to sell me a rose for a hundred rupees, would you believe it?
I’ve never been much of a fan of Valentines Day, mostly because how it has commercialized love. Also I can’t stand is how smug everyone with a date becomes on this day. The “I’m in a relationship and you’re not” routine single people have to endure makes me want to puke honestly.
Personally, I don’t see the value of a gift given on this day. Buying something of your own accord is much better than being compelled to buy something because it is expected. The worst thing is that, an notion that if we don’t declare our love on Valentines Day then we don’t love our partner, has been hardwired into us. I won’t even begin to explain how wrong that is.
In my opinion, a dire need to stem the fervor with which this day is celebrated is required. Agreed love should be celebrated, but with a little less red and a bit more moderation.
Note: The sarcasm in the article has nothing to do with the fact that the author was single on Valentines Day this year.
come on dude why you are offended ? I don’t know much about Islam but if it is banned in Islam then I am ready to let it go.
Bohat mehrbani! itna bara ehsaaan?? aap ko is k liye valentines day ka gift behjwa dein?
han sure jani
Well,,, someone was awfully lonely this valentine:p
If we all say that it is true, then will we allowed our sisters and daughters to go on date or with their boy friends on this occasion ? Be a realistic man we are muslims and islam did not allow us to interact with females in this manner.
I agree thats why I don’t let my sisters use the internet or facebook.
hmmmm I don’t go on date… :P I don’t like this but I like to celebrate this happy occasion along with my family.
jisko valentine day mana hai manae bas ye yaad rakhay, ALLAH ne farmaya hai ” koi Musalmaan kisi bi dosrey mazhab ya qaum(religion or nation) ki taqleed(follow)karega, wo qayamat ke din(judgment day) unhi men se uthaya jaega.”
Brother Valentine’s day has nothing to do with any “Qaum” or “Mazhab”. It is not a religious event of anyone.
Read this…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid
[Comment Edited]
ooo bahi yeh cupid kahan say aaa gya…
acha Allah nay yeh be tu kaha hai keh jis mazhab key koi bat ache lage usko apna lo :P
achi baat pe amal kerna ka kaha hai, unkey tehwaar mananey ke lye nahin kaha
Hazrat Muhammad S.A.V.V. ki uswa-e-hasanah (LIFE) ka mutaaleah(read) karo, usmen saari achi baaten maujud hen, tmhen ST.VALENTINE ki zaroorat nahin paregi.
@Mujahid
its being celebrated in the name of ST. Valentine who was a preacher of christianity and its no doubt a christian event, nothing mentioned in ISLAM to celebrate it.
do read history plz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine
plz don’t make stuff up. NO one I know is doing it because of ST. They did it last year, and the year before that, and this is year no different.
im making stuff…
what abt this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day
read the very first line ” Saint Valentine’s Day, commonly shortened to Valentine’s Day. “
Its like when people take rest on Sunday. They don’t do it because it is the Christian day of rest! It’s just a day of the week. Simililarly, with valentines day.
its not like sunday, very lame example mind you.
What “pink” is doing in this article? It should have been red side of technoloogy if you will. Don’t you know that pink is for gays? Pink dollar is a big thing in the west.
The raise of popularity of this bad practice called ‘valentine day’ is not due to technology, but due to media. Suddenly our media has become ‘muther-peether azad’ and fiercely competitive with each other. And the media has also become full of young people, particularly young, attractive and luscious females, in whose mouths the words “love” etc sounds so sweet. The media, some knowingly and some utterly ignorantly, creating justifications for such a day completely wrongly. But then, who else who are young, don’t like these types of licentious activities, where one can have some hot talks with some sweet babes!