<p>With Valentine’s Day approaching, Delhi seems to be engulfed in a romantic cloud. From heart shaped balloons at Connaught Place to the delicate gift hampers with chocolates and other delicatessens, the city seems to be well and truly in Cupid’s grip. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While this plays right onto the bat of the blissfully bonded, what about the less fortunate? No, we are not speaking of the destitute or the sick. We are talking about the lovelorn singles that only see Valentine’s Day as an ‘overhyped, underrated day which brings with it far too much stigma’! <br /><br />Fear not, for we at Metrolife recognise your plight and that is why we want to help you see a silver lining in this situation and help you survive Valentine’s Day. Now when Saint Valentine initially started marrying young couples in secrecy with profound threat to his life eons ago, we doubt that he would have ever wanted this day to be looked upon with disdain by the single folk. So what if you do not have a significant other? Being dateless on Valentine's Day can evoke feelings of loneliness and self-doubt, especially for those who are believers in the myth of true love. Embedded midway through the frosty season of winter, it is portrayed in the media, particularly in relentless flower, fragrance, and jewellery advertising, as the singular day of year set aside for love, romance, and passion. <br /><br />However, one should not think in that wistful manner as Priya Thakur, a student from Amity University pointed out. “The concept of Valentine’s Day irks me for it sheer banality. Singling out just one day to profess your love for someone is not right. What about the other 364 days? Does love take a back seat for those days? I should hope not because then the definition of true love is being toyed with” Priya said. <br /><br />Her brother, Rahul had an even more interesting take. “Instead of bowing down to social convention like most of my peers, my sister and I choose to spend the day with each other, feeding stray dogs which are not all that fortunate. I feel that the day of love can be dedicated to many a thing. Love for reading or other music or food or even other living beings. To only make it about a significant other seems a tad heavy-handed to me” was Rahul’s input on the matter. While Valentine’s Day was once a serious affair, now in modern times, the concept seems to have morphed. So much so that handcrafted gifts and cards are rarely given by anyone these days, making it a ‘commercial holiday’. <br /><br />Madhav Om, another individual unencumbered by the frivolities of Cupid’s day, said, “I normally try to steer clear of the path of cooing couples. Not that I have anything against them. I just don’t want to see them and feel bad for myself. Usually, I spend time with my family, the people that I have the most meaningful of relationships with and I even try to take out some time to volunteer at different places” Om said. <br /><br />“Last year I was at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara for four hours helping with the ‘langar’ and I can tell you it feels more fulfilling than a box of candy and a bouquet of roses. You might touch the heart of one with a candle-lit dinner for two. I was part of a movement that fed more than 400 people. I’ll leave the math to you” he added.<br /><br />So, youth of Delhi, please don’t let your relationship status define your self-worth. Your identity can spring from many a thing and a ‘steady relationship’ is nowhere near the top of that list.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>With Valentine’s Day approaching, Delhi seems to be engulfed in a romantic cloud. From heart shaped balloons at Connaught Place to the delicate gift hampers with chocolates and other delicatessens, the city seems to be well and truly in Cupid’s grip. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While this plays right onto the bat of the blissfully bonded, what about the less fortunate? No, we are not speaking of the destitute or the sick. We are talking about the lovelorn singles that only see Valentine’s Day as an ‘overhyped, underrated day which brings with it far too much stigma’! <br /><br />Fear not, for we at Metrolife recognise your plight and that is why we want to help you see a silver lining in this situation and help you survive Valentine’s Day. Now when Saint Valentine initially started marrying young couples in secrecy with profound threat to his life eons ago, we doubt that he would have ever wanted this day to be looked upon with disdain by the single folk. So what if you do not have a significant other? Being dateless on Valentine's Day can evoke feelings of loneliness and self-doubt, especially for those who are believers in the myth of true love. Embedded midway through the frosty season of winter, it is portrayed in the media, particularly in relentless flower, fragrance, and jewellery advertising, as the singular day of year set aside for love, romance, and passion. <br /><br />However, one should not think in that wistful manner as Priya Thakur, a student from Amity University pointed out. “The concept of Valentine’s Day irks me for it sheer banality. Singling out just one day to profess your love for someone is not right. What about the other 364 days? Does love take a back seat for those days? I should hope not because then the definition of true love is being toyed with” Priya said. <br /><br />Her brother, Rahul had an even more interesting take. “Instead of bowing down to social convention like most of my peers, my sister and I choose to spend the day with each other, feeding stray dogs which are not all that fortunate. I feel that the day of love can be dedicated to many a thing. Love for reading or other music or food or even other living beings. To only make it about a significant other seems a tad heavy-handed to me” was Rahul’s input on the matter. While Valentine’s Day was once a serious affair, now in modern times, the concept seems to have morphed. So much so that handcrafted gifts and cards are rarely given by anyone these days, making it a ‘commercial holiday’. <br /><br />Madhav Om, another individual unencumbered by the frivolities of Cupid’s day, said, “I normally try to steer clear of the path of cooing couples. Not that I have anything against them. I just don’t want to see them and feel bad for myself. Usually, I spend time with my family, the people that I have the most meaningful of relationships with and I even try to take out some time to volunteer at different places” Om said. <br /><br />“Last year I was at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara for four hours helping with the ‘langar’ and I can tell you it feels more fulfilling than a box of candy and a bouquet of roses. You might touch the heart of one with a candle-lit dinner for two. I was part of a movement that fed more than 400 people. I’ll leave the math to you” he added.<br /><br />So, youth of Delhi, please don’t let your relationship status define your self-worth. Your identity can spring from many a thing and a ‘steady relationship’ is nowhere near the top of that list.<br /><br /><br /></p>
