By VIMAL KAPOOR
Cupid is back and love is painting the town red…ahem. The annual festival of friendship and the camaraderie-Valentine’s Day is here again! In the last couple of decades this festival, translates into Hindi as – ‘Mitrata Diwas’ has gained momentum, the impetus coming mainly from the younger lot and their mindset. With the turn of the century, Valentine’s Day began to soar in popularity as India underwent a series of economic liberalization policies, which led to the rise of a new Indian middle class with spending power. The youngsters are prominently influenced in life by the acronym YOLO—‘you only live once’, hence the success of this day which brings to mind, freedom, and lack of restrictions, apart from obvious boxes of chocolate, bouquets, romantic dinners, heart emojis, and fun times.
On February 14, Doon valley will offer an abundance of activities for those who are looking for bonhomie, or who are just out to have a good time. Dehra seems to come alive during Valentine’s Day week. ‘Café culture’ is the hottest fad in Doon valley, and the youngsters are drawn towards them in large numbers. These joints are sprinkled all over the Rajpur road, well into old Mussoorie road. The air is crisp and charged with an excitement that you can almost feel. The shops on Rajpur road are adorned with bright-colored decorations—reds, pinks, and whites, with hearts and ribbons swaying in the breeze. Shop windows are dressed with heart-shaped balloons, stuffed bears holding roses, and sweet little trinkets that beckon love-struck couples and hopeful romantics.
The ‘Kwality chawk’ area is buzzing, with youngsters gathering in cafes, bakeries, and eminent bookstores that have become the heart of the social scene. Groups of friends, both couples and singletons, can be spotted strolling down, hand-in-hand or in lively conversation, their breath visible in the cold air, but the warmth of their connection apparent in every smile and glance, as they chat about plans for the weekend or exchange stories about their crushes.
While the ‘Valentine’s scenario’ is quite ‘gung-ho’ in big metro towns, love in any remote small towns is very secretive and very fanatical. Secretive because of the need to hide your affair from everyone while fanaticism is measured by the size of the card and Teddy gifted to each other. The bigger the stuffed bear the stronger the bond. The size does matter here. I can realize how difficult it was — and still is — to express love in India’s smaller towns where young adults have voting rights but not the right to choose a partner for themselves. Barricades of moral judgment, hurdles of ill-treatment and guilt trips, and pressure of exile are thrown in the way of lovey-dovey couples. And if you’re a girl, the hurdles are a lot higher.
Coming back to Dehra, there’s a sense of togetherness, a lighthearted energy that radiates throughout. Flower vendors near ‘Astley Hall’ have set up colorful stands, offering roses, tulips, and daisies, and young lovers can be seen picking out the perfect bouquet, often with a shy smile or a stolen glance. The romanticism of it all is contagious, and even those without a partner seem to revel in the celebration of love.
As the weekend of Valentine’s Day arrives, the mood shifts to something more intimate. Couples of all ages enjoy candlelit dinners at their favorite bistros, where the lighting is soft, and the atmosphere feels surreal. For many, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love—it’s about celebrating all forms of love: familial, platonic, and self-love. The significance of the day is seen in the messages shared on social media, where people post not just photos with their partners but also shout-outs to friends, parents, or even themselves, reminding everyone that love is what makes the world go round. What binds us is that we are all humans who want the same things in life: Happiness and love. And each of us deserves that, and all around the year. Amen!
