That Time Of The Year

'Joel: [voice over] random thoughts for Valentine's day, 2004. Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap. - Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.'

Advertisements haunt me in every single channel. News reports, cover stories, an explosion of interest in a previously unknown subject of thought. Yet another instance of a country torn between what it is and what it wants to be.

Discussions on civilian rights in every group I pass by on the road, people debating with interest after the Mumbai fiasco. Topic in debate being the Ram Sena. A bunch of white haired, or even worse, hairless 'activists' fighting for the cause of upholding a 'culture' that is prone to 'infiltration' by 'unwanted' elements.

According to them, apparently, locking up the women in your family and denying them the very gift of freedom will protect our integrity and individuality. Maybe there is a scarcity of burning issues in the nation, so much so that we have to grab the least excuse of a 'controversy' and project it as a matter of national importance.

Its not these fake activists that I detest, it is the one thing that gives them so much coverage and nation-wide recognition: Valentine's Day.

Pink tacky decorations in every third shop, hanging springy pink things, hollow glassy bubbles and fake enthusiasm among the general public. You can almost see the pain behind their smiles.

Over-rated commercial gimmicks, diamond pendants, heart-shaped boxes of pure milk chocolates that nobody ever buys on any normal day. Fluffy and freaky teddy bears with 'I-heart-U' tags. Its almost like some crazy look-at-me-I'm-so-happy-and-committed spree.

Maybe the whole wide world is basking in some sudden revolutionary happiness or maybe I'm too miserable to give a damn about it all.

Don't count the days and wait for February to arrive to show your gratitude to the ones that support you emotionally throughout your life. Do it today, tomorrow or on any random day. Show them you care, just don't publicize it and blow it up into a huge carnival.

And a fake one at that.

For all you lovey-dovey ones out there, happy Valentine's Day.