Love In the Times of War, Change, and General Elections - Happy Valentine's Day

Every year, the world celebrates Valentine's Day today, February 14th. A day of love, a day of relationships, a day of making up, a day of telling that special someone that you love them. Over the years I've witnessed varying degrees of Valentine's Day in my country, India. Today, I got my first hard look in to how the world celebrates it. A special mention on some of the countries who made it to the news.

Tehran
Goverened by strict conservative code of Islamic values, Tehran still celebrated the Valentine's Day. Although a little guarded than most other developed nations, the country's love birds did not hesitate in telling their loved ones how much they cared. A young 21 year old girl went on camera to say that she was looking forward to seeing the gifts that her boyfreind got her. Shops defiantly displayed the flavor of the season with greeting cards, teddy bears, chocolates, and other V Day gift items adorning the show cases. A country where the government could at any time declare that holding hands in public may be considered against the diktats of Allah, young couples were seen hanging out, shopping, and having a good time. Although a little weary of the police keeping an eagle eye on every movement, there were luckily no signs of disagreement among the general public.

India
There just has to be some terrifying action in this "god's own country" every year. If it's not the shiv sainiks, or the Bajrang Dal, it would now be the perpetrators in the Mangalore tragedy. Bangalore, Mangalore, and many other parts of the country saw burning of cards, gifts, and other symbolic effegies to signify the opposition towards the symobol of the "demise of the hindu culture" (read valentine's day). The extent was enough to be covered by none other than CNN itself. The recent blatant humiliation of young girls and guys being dragged out of a club in Managlaore has raised some serious concerns over the safety of young couples trying to have some clean affectionate fun with their loved ones. As the country goes in to a fresh mode of debate over the activities of the moral police, Gen Y wonders why some elements of the society just HAVE to poke their grubby paws in any and evrything related to the "western" culture.

United States
As the country witnesses one of the most impactful changes in the history of the nation, love continues to bloom everywhere. In a touching incident, a long married woman donated her kidney to her hospitalized and seriously ill husband. On February 14th, the wife kept her marriage vows "in sickness and in health" to save the life of her dear husband. A visibly touched, bed ridden husband could not thank his wife enough for her continous dedication and affection for him.

London
CSR or Corporate Social Responisibility took on an all new aura as the Valentine's Day descended on London. NGO's and social organizations got together to collect funds, gifts, money, and resources to help out the poor. There were special camps organized to feed the poor, educate them, and unify them under the banner of love and care. This would at least be one day when many wouldn't have to go without food. It was Corporate London's way of showing that they cared, while at the same time, bringing a visible change to the way people perceived of large corporations.

Valentine's day has been redefined time and again, and as another year passes, I wonder what new avataar it'll take on in the coming years. With love and emotions in the air, I urge you to Impact Your World in the small or big ways that you can.

Love and respect to all...