Arindam Ganguly, OP
“O my luve’s like a red, red rose, that’s newly sprung in June….”
These famous lines from Robert Burns’ 1794 poem A Red Red Rose symbolize the flower for love and passion. But the rose doesn’t stick to just love between lovers. Every rose has its own meaning and relevance: The white for peace, yellow for friendship and red for love. The Rose Day (February 7) celebration commences the Valentine’s Week. Propose day, Chocolate day, Teddy day, Promise day, Hug day and Kiss day follow the Rose day before the Valentine’s Day. For some, these days are meant to impress their beloved while for some it is just a waste of time.
Bidya Singh, a teacher in a city school, said it is a casual day like any other day for me. “For working women like me, the day starts in the morning and ends at night. But this day has its own charm and everyone has a right to celebrate the day according to individual wishes,” Bidya adds.
Ayushi Reddy ,a budding model, said she observed the day with close friends because Rose Day doesn’t mean exclusively for lovers. “Instead of giving a single rose or a bouquet, I think we better gift a
rose plant to a friend to spread a green message.” She said Rose Day in our society has little meaning. “I mean, I would not be sad if no one gives me a rose, but if someone does, then it does uplift my mood. It’s the celebration of friendship and
love.
There’s no harm in celebrating this day except for the fact that we should gift rose plants instead of rose flowers plucked from the plants,” she points out. In recent times, some political activists, owing allegiance to a saffron party, tried to create ruckus opposing Valentine’s day celebrations and humiliated loving couples at public places like parks and beaches.
In this context, Khushboo Arora, a doctor, said, “It’s good that some people are concerned about our Indian culture, but they are protesting against a tradition wrongly. Our Indian culture is all about love, harmony, peace and respect for all individuals irrespective of their caste and religion”. Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate love which promotes peace and harmony in the society. “So, in no way it’s demeaning our culture and religion. If they want to protest about something they should protest against female foeticide, rape of minors and women, farmers’ suicides, corruption in high places among others,” adds Khusboo.
The so-called activists who are opposed to kissing in public and
other love gestures should also stop watching pornography, prevent people from passing comments on girls instead of becoming moral police, stated Ayushi. Meanwhile, rose shops in the city, did normal business. For flower vendor Sashikanta Moharana of Unit I, there was nothing unusual about this day because in view of the current marriage season, rose sales are brisk, usual. Deepak Baliarsingh, an event organiser, said nowadays the youths do not indulge in romantic affairs in public parks for fear of being offended by vandals. “We have organised special events for Valentine Week beginning Rose Day at hotels in the city where we offer them the chance to celebrate the day,” adds Deepak.
