I used to trace this route everyday...returning from the public library,which was a respite for me during those days when one starts getting bored of vacations..
There was this couple whom I saw..they used to frequent the library very often..
While the girl unearthed books in those sections where i found my fiction collection,the guy kept himself busy with newspapers,history and magazine section..
At the eatery close by they would sit and devour snacks..feeding tit-bits to each other..breaking into chuckles...at times even ended fighting,slapping each other in jest......
As the road forked into two separate streets..the boy and girl parted..said goodbyes to each other..
They moved a few steps away...and turned back,to get a final glimpse of each other .
I could sense their longingness for each other...they didn’t want to leave ...
Until the guy uttered the words from a distance..”I LOVE YOU”...
She stood there smiling,frozen,blushing only to wave her hand out to him.....and perhaps became conscious of a third person observer(me) who was an eye witness to the sweet adieu...and all she could do was tap herself on her head...as if feeling stupid....All I did was gave the girl a smile............
The next time I saw them..they were sharing the same umbrella...on a rainy,windy evening...
Much as i would not have liked to look at them,The romantic in me couldn’t resist.
For the sake of vicarious pleasure I looked at them..
In a tizzy the guy was on his knees,hands folded as if praying to the girl,serenading her..
“WEIRD??? CRAZY.....FOOLISHLY ROMANTIC....”
Then why was it making me smile,and why did I not turn my gaze away from them??
Maybe that’s the stuff dreams are made of..............
Only later did the girl box his ears,and they started to walk to the fork where they parted,smiled,waved......turned and looked back at each other..again and again...
Days passed by,and my long vacation was coming to an end..
I didn’t get to see them again..
It was only a few days back that I saw them together again at a Gift Shop.....
Buying each other valentine’s gift...probably
But alas!their day will be ruined!
In a country where the vanguards of “culture” are the youth who are unemployed,and who have nothing to do.....
Honestly the only identity about BAJRANG DAL I am aware of is their protests against Valentine’s Day on the pretext of safeguarding our culture....
Awww Come’on!
Do I need to mention the Khajuraho temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150AD??
Don’t we know how Lord Rama won Sita’s heart or for that matter Arjun wooed Draupadi in a Swayamvar..... the Girl had her own choice even then you see!!
And who needs to tell them about the God who portrayed various roles: a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero and the Supreme Being.Lord Krishna .The stories of his play with the gopis (milkmaids) of Vrindavana became known as the Rasa Lila.These became important as part of the development of the Krishna bhakti traditions worshiping Radha Krishna. Krishna and Radha have been epitomised by Hindu Mythology as eternal lovers...who never really married each other...
Our Indian culture in the antiquity has been liberal and very frankly open minded..
Parvati is depicted as interested in Shiva's tales and appearance from her very birth and finally remembering her last life as Sati. As Parvati grew into a young woman, she began tapas (austerities) to please Shiva to grant her wish to reunite with him. She is portrayed as surpassing all other ascetics in penance, undergoing mortifications. Finally, Shiva tests her devotion by sending an attendant or appearing himself in disguise to criticize Shiva. Untouched by the act, Parvati retains her desire for Shiva compelling him to marry her. After the marriage, Parvati moves to mount Kailash, the residence of Shiva.
Now who says that a girl and guy should tie(the knot) or else die??
So why see a girl meeting a boy as a taboo??
Why go about hitting women who are dancing in pubs??
Why go inside head post offices and vandalize it because postal department has been selling and conveying Valentine’s greetings??(Atleast that’s generating some revenue for the postal dept.)
Agreed most of us celebrate the day without actually knowing the history behind the day....
What’s the harm in spending a day of fun and frolic with the special one in the lovely spring??
Calling it a money spinning iniative by Archies,Hallmark,florists,bakeries...
We need a running economy...dont we??
So
My dear Moral police officers,custodians of “culture”..
Please use whatever sense u have left,or better seek an asylum..
Let us live in love and peace....
As for my valentine wish goes...
These lines from Beautiful Mind quoted by John Nash say it all
“i have always believed in numbers and equations and logics that lead to reason..
And after a lifetime of such pursuits i ask what truly is logic who decides reason...
my quest has taken me to the physical ,metaphysical..delusional and back...
And I have made the most important discovery of my career..most important discovery of my life...
It is only in the mysterious equations of love that analogical reasons can be found..
I am only here because of you..
You are the reason I am..You’re all my reasons...Thank you”
