St. Valentine’s Day seems to have struck chords in Haridwar. The people here, particularly, the youngsters, are all set to celebrate the day with gaiety and enthusiasm on Saturday. Married couples would renew their pledges of love on the occasion. Haridwar gripped by the V-Day fever the origin of which is in the West is a bit surprising in view of the town being a repository of cultural traditions that hoary India embody.
“Indian culture in its true form is an inclusive one. We can absorb Valentine’s Day too and make it our own,” said a resident of Haridwar. It is very rarely seen in any parts of the world that two different festivals of different origins and themes are celebrated with equal vim and vigour at one place. Haridwar is one such where people would celebrate V-Day and participate in the religious Kanwar Mela held on the occasion of Shivaratri.
Markets are flooded with Kaanwar baskets, bags, bottles and cans, flags, musical items churning out ‘Bam Bhole’. On other hand, markets here are brimming with Valentine’s cards and gifts which the lovers purchase to offer to their beloved as tokens of love. Since rose symbolises love, roses of various hues are in great demand and their sale goes up many times. It is indeed a boom time for florists.
Roses, greeting cards, teddy bears, soft toys, musical items, playing out “I love you”, heart -shaped decorations are hot favorites with the lovers. Sending love messages through SMS, whatsapp, hike and e — mail are popular among the new generation. Ankit, a florist based in Ranipur, said that roses of red, yellow, white and orange variety and other flowers that include Rajnigandha, Gradulaas, lilly and Guldhauwari are in great demand.
Subham Ruhela, a graduate student of Haripur Kalan, said that he has been eagerly waiting for the day to come. “If you love someone, it is the most opportune time to express it”, he said. “I want to make this V – day a special and memorable one. I am making special meal that would feature all of my husband’s favorites. I also want to give him a surprise by decorating the house by aromatic candles. I hope he would like this,” said Chhaya who married a few days before the Republic day this year.