I Hate Valentines Day!

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

Love is everywhere in everything. Allocation of a particular day or particular occasion is something unpalatable to me.

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

Commercialization and misuse is also relatable to Deepawali, Karwa chauth and other festivals. These days there is hardly anything that is not commercialized.

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

Commercialization and misuse is also relatable to Deepawali, Karwa chauth and other festivals. These days there is hardly anything that is not commercialized.

Yes, commercialization in the form of Greeting card business involving crores and crores are one of the reasons for promoting these festivals.

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

Commercialization and misuse is also relatable to Deepawali, Karwa chauth and other festivals. These days there is hardly anything that is not commercialized.

Exactly...so are we complaining about holi celebrations or about diwali??? No! So why keep cribbing about Valentines Day only! The incident that Rakhi mentioned in her first post is something that people frequently see happening freely on Holi and during Navratri and New Year celebrations too! So why single out one specific day? Celebrating New Year is also adopted from the very same western culture after all!

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

Commercialization and misuse is also relatable to Deepawali, Karwa chauth and other festivals. These days there is hardly anything that is not commercialized.

Exactly...so are we complaining about holi celebrations or about diwali??? No! So why keep cribbing about Valentines Day only! The incident that Rakhi mentioned in her first post is something that people frequently see happening freely on Holi and during Navratri and New Year celebrations too! So why single out one specific day? Celebrating New Year is also adopted from the very same western culture after all!

Every festival is commercialized today by big corporates. We have forgotten the true meaning of these festivals. Everything is just for show.

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

Commercialization and misuse is also relatable to Deepawali, Karwa chauth and other festivals. These days there is hardly anything that is not commercialized.

Exactly...so are we complaining about holi celebrations or about diwali??? No! So why keep cribbing about Valentines Day only! The incident that Rakhi mentioned in her first post is something that people frequently see happening freely on Holi and during Navratri and New Year celebrations too! So why single out one specific day? Celebrating New Year is also adopted from the very same western culture after all!

@Kalyani

You are bang on! What is very relevant and important here is to understand is what is chaff and what is grain!! Our cultural plurality which I have already spoken about has not been appreciated at all by some members. India is a living experiment of pluralism. I am cutting myself short by just saying that what are we so alarmed about with apoplectic rage? Is it about the message of St Valentine or the hoopla that we are witness to which hardly receives any sanction from the Saint!!! In my state Durga Pooja is similarly commercialized but none has a word about it!!

What's this Valentines Day? Can we constrain LOVE in any particular day??? I don't think so! Okay if 14th Feb is known as a day for Lovers, then what about other days of the years, are they for HATERS??


Anyway I don't have any problem with Valentine Day, but I really hate it because you can't really step in any park or any place where you can visit for recreation with your family. Reason being, you will find couples doing absurd things in public. I went to a park near to my house with my small kid today, but saw a couple doing SEX. Is these Indian culture?

That is the bizarre situations in all across parks in major cities and towns, the concept of "How far would want to get closer to someone you love?" cannot have the destination of sex and that too out in the open. Some, Indians tend to modify the real concept and try to design it in their own way.

There may be reasons to dislike Valentine day but the argument why a particular day be selected for love does not cut ice. You have particular day for other things also- Karwachauth for husband's life, Deepawali for celebrating money (laxmi), vishwakarma day and May day for labor and so on.

You may go to park the whole year and need just spare one day for lovers. Suppose that the lovers went whole year to park instead of valentine day, what would happen to your plan to go to park with family.

That too is a logical way of looking at things. I am personally not opposed to celebrating St. Valentine's Day but it is the commercialism and misuse of it all that is irksome. But then if people are willing to spend money on buying expensive teddy bears, chocolates , flowers and spend the day for their beloved ones, I see no wrong in it. After all, we speak amply and freely about freedom of expression, so if they want to express their love freely on at least one day of the year, who are we to comment? If we don't like it, let us keep out of their way!

Commercialization and misuse is also relatable to Deepawali, Karwa chauth and other festivals. These days there is hardly anything that is not commercialized.

Exactly...so are we complaining about holi celebrations or about diwali??? No! So why keep cribbing about Valentines Day only! The incident that Rakhi mentioned in her first post is something that people frequently see happening freely on Holi and during Navratri and New Year celebrations too! So why single out one specific day? Celebrating New Year is also adopted from the very same western culture after all!

@Kalyani

You are bang on! What is very relevant and important here is to understand is what is chaff and what is grain!! Our cultural plurality which I have already spoken about has not been appreciated at all by some members. India is a living experiment of pluralism. I am cutting myself short by just saying that what are we so alarmed about with apoplectic rage? Is it about the message of St Valentine or the hoopla that we are witness to which hardly receives any sanction from the Saint!!! In my state Durga Pooja is similarly commercialized but none has a word about it!!

Exactly chinmoy! No one understand these nuances, all they see is the commercial hoopla surrounding it, while at the same time contributing to it knowingly or unknowingly, or base their opinions only on the fact that a certain celebration is not originally Indian etc. etc. Similarly even Ganeshotsav has been reduced to such a commercial show of sorts that is only meant to showcase different political groups in Maharashtra, so as Gokulashtami celebrations or Dahi-Handi as it is called here. Even Durgapooja celebrated here is now far removed from what I really remember from my childhood days. There is actually no sanctity remaining in any of our festivals and truth be faced, Holi celebrations, Navratri festivals are many times more uglier than Valentines Day!

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is a very tender and subtle emotion. It needs all the privacy . Public parks and roads are not the places for love.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is a very tender and subtle emotion. It needs all the privacy . Public parks and roads are not the places for love.

In some cultures it doesn't look vulgar even in public but we the Indians have turned it into one. On one hand we have Khajuraho that no one considers vulgar and on the other hand we find a hand holding couple out of place. Why? Just because we do it on particular days and then find the same act vulgar on other days. This over-show takes the grace out of the action.It doesn't look normal but something driven by the outer forces, the business-houses.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is a very tender and subtle emotion. It needs all the privacy . Public parks and roads are not the places for love.

In some cultures it doesn't look vulgar even in public but we the Indians have turned it into one. On one hand we have Khajuraho that no one considers vulgar and on the other hand we find a hand holding couple out of place. Why? Just because we do it on particular days and then find the same act vulgar on other days. This over-show takes the grace out of the action.It doesn't look normal but something driven by the outer forces, the business-houses.

Vulgarity or decency depends upon the country's culture. Wisdom lies in acting according to them. Otherwise be prepared to look like an odd man out.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is a very tender and subtle emotion. It needs all the privacy . Public parks and roads are not the places for love.

In some cultures it doesn't look vulgar even in public but we the Indians have turned it into one. On one hand we have Khajuraho that no one considers vulgar and on the other hand we find a hand holding couple out of place. Why? Just because we do it on particular days and then find the same act vulgar on other days. This over-show takes the grace out of the action.It doesn't look normal but something driven by the outer forces, the business-houses.

Vulgarity or decency depends upon the country's culture. Wisdom lies in acting according to them. Otherwise be prepared to look like an odd man out.

Yes every country has it's own traditions and customs. What seems normal in one country maybe objectionable in other. India has it's own unique customs and there is no need to mimic western society.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is a very tender and subtle emotion. It needs all the privacy . Public parks and roads are not the places for love.

In some cultures it doesn't look vulgar even in public but we the Indians have turned it into one. On one hand we have Khajuraho that no one considers vulgar and on the other hand we find a hand holding couple out of place. Why? Just because we do it on particular days and then find the same act vulgar on other days. This over-show takes the grace out of the action.It doesn't look normal but something driven by the outer forces, the business-houses.

Vulgarity or decency depends upon the country's culture. Wisdom lies in acting according to them. Otherwise be prepared to look like an odd man out.

So what should we do? What do you suggest we should do in this country? Let's have your views on this point lease.

Love is altogether different from what we see on public display in parks and cultural/religion functions. Love exists by faith. Show business or multinational propaganda has nothing to do with that. I have nothing against love but vulgar display on a particular day is not my idea of love. In fact, love is something to strive toward and not make it a business. Festivals only reaffirm our faith in all good things of life or inspire us towards peace and harmony and not spread chaos in society. Whatever spreads hate, chaos and vulgarity in the society is no love and no single religion allows it. The need is to stay away from such funny ways of celebrating festivals, if the multinationals are polluting our festivals, it does not mean we allow another imported one to destroy our culture further in the name of love or freedom of expression. There are many more 'secret acts' in the name of freedom of expression may come in demand then.

Exactly. True love is not exhibitionism. Exhibitionism may be good in some other cultures but not to the Indian society.
What I want to say is observe Valentine's day by all means, but well within the framework of societal practices. One need not pour love on his sweet heart on a Public road..

Yes your expression of love should be beautiful not vulgar.

Love is a very tender and subtle emotion. It needs all the privacy . Public parks and roads are not the places for love.

In some cultures it doesn't look vulgar even in public but we the Indians have turned it into one. On one hand we have Khajuraho that no one considers vulgar and on the other hand we find a hand holding couple out of place. Why? Just because we do it on particular days and then find the same act vulgar on other days. This over-show takes the grace out of the action.It doesn't look normal but something driven by the outer forces, the business-houses.

Vulgarity or decency depends upon the country's culture. Wisdom lies in acting according to them. Otherwise be prepared to look like an odd man out.

So what should we do? What do you suggest we should do in this country? Let's have your views on this point lease.

Use your discretion. Do what you are dictated by your heart, without encroaching on other's territory.

Doing over publicly is surely not good.. I don't mind about this day if two people meet generally on that day.. but yes they should understand the limit.