Isn’t it an awesome story, that a Saint dies because he used to conduct secret marriage ceremonies in defiance of Claudius II – “the cruel” emperor of Rome. He became a martyr and the day he died began to be celebrated as sending the Love messages day and celebration of Love, in Rome and amongst its Catholic followers. All this ensued about 1800 years ago. But, unlike any other celebration or festivals, this day has ceased to be linked with a specific religion or community. There are no rituals which need to be performed, no customs that need to be followed, no mass to attend, no candles to light…Just be with your Love and make him/her happy with a gift or a message or a special arrangement.
This makes me think, why do I need to be looking forward for only one such day? I can do it all 365 days of the year. I can do it whenever I want. My Love is not restricted to be celebrated only once a year. I can celebrate it anytime. Anytime I am with her or not with her. Anytime we miss each other or are happy. Anytime we have kissed and made up after a fight. Anytime. And, I think all those in Love would agree with me.
Then why just this one day? How did we never hear of this day, when we were growing up? How come so many associated days with it now, like Chocolate day, Rose Day, Promises Day, Card Day? The answer shoul not be difficult to answer by anyone. It is simple, and should be obvious to everyone – Commercialisation! How else do you expect the Telecom Industry to charge premium rates for SMS and calls that day? How else do you think Gifts and cards Retailers would boom their sales? How else would Chocolate Manufacturers rake in moolahs? How else would the Flower Marketeers ask exhorbitant prices? How else would the “General” People who love to be fooled by everyone would get another chance to be fooled?
I am not a pessimst, in fact, I am better known as an optimist. But, I just can’t stand this commercialisation of a feeling/emotion/state as beautiful as Love. It is even getting worse now. First, the Moronic Negligent Youngsters started the exploitation of this day to fulfil their stupid desires. This gave the even bigger Morons of the political system of India to cause even more damage, insult and injury to the nation.
I am not professing anything against this “day”, or any other day…I just want people to …Think!
Hope that is not a difficult task, after all everyone “thinks” so much for the gifts to buy. Spare a thought on this, if you can!
Leaving you with some figures you might find interesting. If anybody can get similar data for India, I will be grateful.
- Hallmark began selling cards in 1913. Since then the market for Valentine's Day cards has increased beyond lovers to include parents, children, siblings, and friends.
- About 190 million cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card giving occasion.
- 65 percent of households send greeting cards on Valentine's Day.
- 73 percent of Valentine Day flowers are bought by men, while women buy 23 percent of Valentine flowers.
- About 45.8 percent of U.S. consumers will exchange Valentine's Day candy. About 75 percent of is from sales of chocolate
- Americans will spend about $14.7 billion in retail sales on Valentine's Day in the United States.
- The average U.S. consumer is expected to spend $103 on Valentine's Day gifts, meals, and entertainment, down from $123 per person in 2008.
