Cupid’s dart hits residents his own way

Tribune News Service/OC

Jalandhar, February 14

The city today witnessed a unique blend of celebrations of the ancient Hindu and the modern era’s most awaited day for expressing love and care -the Mahashivratri and the Valentine’s Day. Even though both the festivals generally fall in the same month, It was after quite long that both the festivals were observed on the same day.

While the youth were seen more inclined towards the Valentines Day, playing cupid to the ones they love and enjoying the festivities spread in the air, their older counterparts were seen deeply immersed in the traditional fervour of Mahashivratri and were seen offering prayers in temples decked up with flowers.

According to Ananya, a student, both the festivals symbolise a common thread which is love. “While Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on this day, it also gives us a chance to express our love to our beloved and to make him/her a part of our life,” said the B.tech student.

Since last many days, the markets were decked up to add colour and fervour to both the festivals. While the city temples were decorated with flowers and lights to illuminate Maha Shivratri that was observed on the intervening night of February 13 and 14, online orders of flowers including chocolates and cakes registered a record sale as compared to the physical delivery of bouquets in the city.

According to Anil Pahwa, a florist, red roses remained the most sought after flower on this day. “However, with the changing trend, people prefer to send flowers online,” said Anil, adding that he had tied up with an online websites to deliver flowers in various countries like the USA and Canada.

While there were reports earlier on the strong protest lodged by various Hindu brigades against the celebration of Valentine’s Day in the country, the day went well without any untoward incident reported in the city.

According to Shama, a school teacher, more fascinating is the fact that civilizations so distinct and distant from each other teach the same lesson of love and commitment to the people.

Residents embrace V-Day

The love and friendship fervour was all prevailing in the city today, as everywhere couples, friends and even families were seen celebrating the Valentine’s Day while donning perfect combination of red and white.

It was time to celebrate the love and go gaga for the Valentine celebrations all across, be it clubs, hotels or restaurants. Everyone had one or the other plan to celebrate the occasion in his or her own style.

Some visited restaurants or pubs, some strolled around the markets and parks, some opted for ‘geri’ routes with friends, while some offered parties at their residence.

Various gift items, including heart-shaped cushions, balloons, colourful teddy bears and customised heart-shaped cakes were in demand today. Shopkeepers raked in profits on V- Day.

“I got a booking of 50 cakes in advance for today. Couples are liking customised cakes, jars and cup cakes to express their love for the special ones, having customised love messages written on them,” said Amandeep, the owner of Bake and Byte Bakery.

Amit Chawla, a city resident, said “I was very excited for the Day, as I had given a surprise to my girlfriend. He said he had brought a huge card, heart-shaped chocolates and a dress for her and he took her for a lunch date, which he planned well in advance yesterday. He also said they were in a relationship for the past five years and they spend this day together.

every year. Yashika Chaudhary, another resident, said: “Chocolates and red roses are my ideal gift for the Valentine’s Day. Every year I gift a box of chocolates and red roses to my husband, while in the evening we go out for a long drive and dinner.”

Meanwhile, various hotels, shops, bakeries and food courts decorated their places using flowers, heart shaped red balloons and buntings. “We have tried to give our shop a complete Valentine look, so that people, apart from enjoying quality food, also get a wholesome experience of the beautiful love environment recalling their memories,” said the owner of a food joint Rakesh Sharma.

Besides decoration and valentine parties organised in the city, many hotels and restaurants offered special buffets and menus to attract the customers. However, many special parties were also organised at various places which included unlimited games, dance and love competitions, said Vishesh Singh, a hotelier.

V-Day with a difference

The Strings and Sargam Club of DAVIET organised a musical event in association with Humanities in Action Welfare Society for poor children. The event was organised to mark the Valentine’s Day as a day for love and affection for the socially deprived and under privileged students studying in DAVIET after the working hours under Mission Education. Parminder Beri, an eminent social worker, was the guest of the function. She conveyed the message that love is an emotion that inspired us to live for others. Various essential and sports items were distributed among needy students.

Dr Manoj Kumar, Principal DAVIET, appreciated the initiative of the club and stated that in the present times, every institution and organisation has to perform its responsibility towards the society to rid it from all the problems. He further motivated the students to celebrate these days for the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society. He encouraged the students to make efforts to redesign the societal structure of the country without violence and harbour love and respect for others.