Renewing the bonds of love

Valentine's Day :

by Lakmal Welabada

Valentine's Day, the day dedicated to love falls tomorrow - February 14, the day that is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

This tradition which according to legend has its roots in an ancient Roman festival has slowly but surely invaded our little island. And today, mostly the younger generation has embraced it in a big way, and goes to extremes, sometimes boarding on what one may term `crazy' when it comes to expressing their love for each other.

And it has become highly commercialised too with not merely greeting cards and plaques, but so many other things including flowers (especially red roses), chocolates and sweets, colognes, perfumes, jewellery, balloons and even mobile phones being exchanged as symbols of love.

We spoke to a few in different age groups to find out what they think about this celebration of love.

Dilu, a career oriented girl working in a leading bank represented the younger generation. "Valentine's Day is a special day for love. It's good to have a day like this because there are so many other days meant for environment, anti-narcotic, women and children, heroes and heroines.

We need a day like this because it provides a good opportunity to strengthen the bond with your partner (lover or spouse) by showing special care, love, attention and appreciation towards him or her.

On the other hand you don't really have to wait until this day to show how much you love him or her. Even on a normal day you can send a card or flowers and give your partner a pleasant surprise. But, it's always nice to have a special day like this," she pledges.

"Also it's true that Valentine's Day is very much commercialised. But I see nothing wrong in it. It has only provided us with a wider range of gifts to choose from to suit our purses. It's up to us to decide what to buy and what not to buy according to our financial status," says Dilu.

Nilamani, a young mother of two kids, seemed to have very positive vibes about this whole celebration. "I think Valentine's Day is something very special, and should be encouraged because it's a good pause in our busy and hectic lives; it gives a break for us to think a little about our partners.

After all, renewal of the bonds of love relationship between two people is a nice feeling to experience. It's great when you know how much he appreciate you. My husband and I have been celebrating it since we started our love affair at the University in 1992.

Chamali, a housewife and a mother of two teenage sons says.

"Valentine's Day which is a custom we adopted very recently from the Western world is more a commercial event than a day to really express one's love for each other.

But on the other hand it's a good business which provides a good opportunity since most people are ready to spend lavishly on anything related to the Valentine celebration.

I don't know how my two sons, aged 19 and 17 are going to celebrate it. More than my husband and I, they will be the ones who'll enjoy it. Though I don't believe in it I'm quite open minded about it.

I feel it's a nice thing for the younger people. But like the majority of the people in our age group I only believe in the `wedding anniversary'," she laughs.

According to Suraj, a computer operator it's a day for couples to renew pledges made earlier. I feel if we can show such love, care and appreciation towards our partners all the year through - this world will be a nicer place to live in.

"Valentine's Day celebrations are a good thing for any age group. But you and your partner should both like it and feel excited about it equally," says Nimmi, a Secretary in a Private Firm. "One person can't enjoy it alone. Though I`m quite optimistic about it, I do not like the way it is being commercialised," she stresses.

Mrs. Wijesinghe, a 65-year-old mother of three married daughters and a grandmother of four representing the very old generation in the country had strong sentiments about it. That Valentine's Day celebrations are an utter waste of money.

"If you are not faithful to your partner and not devoted truly to him or her, there's no meaning in spending exorbitant sums on greeting cards, flowers and gifts to show your love.

Simplicity and true loyalty were the two ingredients that I added to make my 40-year old married life, a happy and a peaceful one," she explains....

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"Love changes everything"

Love makes the rules from fools to kings...

The radio jockeys have a super (or rather lousy) time dishing out sentimental music for the love-sick and love-struck especially during the second week of February.

The male species (majority of them) might be in the dumps during this 'love' ly season especially if they have hardly had any breathing space to recover after a lavish Christmas. They might hate the 'mushy crap' and call it a farce. But females on the contrary, might feel quite differently about the subject.

They will only dream about candy hearts, chocolates, pretty cards and wait for cupid to find true love. Girls love the attention and (expensive) gifts, boys have their frustration levels going up while the love' lorn Romeos sulk enough to last a lifetime at home...

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