Girls in the lead, relationship on test

SNS, Siliguri, 13 February 2014: It is that time of the year again when relationships are put to the most stressful test. The office is bubbling with talks about Valentine’s Day. Romantic dinners, flowers, teddy bears and all that. The girls talk about it constantly, whilst the men complain that Valentine's Day is too commercialised.

“Too commercialised? Oh well, I suppose that Kali Puja has a pretty low advertising budget. As also, Laxmi and Saraswati pujas. We wouldn’t dream of missing out on those special occasions. After all, they are hardly commercialised,” said Rajesh Singh of Ashrampara in Siliguri.

“I was watching the TV this morning where they were asking listeners to phone in and comment on the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day. I only stopped to listen for a few comments, but the ones I heard were from men, all agreeing that Valentine’s Day is way too commercial, and that you should show someone you love them and care about them all year long, not just for one money-sucking day,” Rajesh maintained.

Agreeing with Rajesh, a sales girl at a store in Darjeeling said: “I think it is just complete commercialism and nonsense, but people get hurt if I don’t observe it, especially my boyfriend. I get a card for my boyfriend and a present if I have time.” But many in the region refuse to agree. “When was the last time you loved and cherished someone all year long, the way you’re supposed to on Valentine’s Day? When was the last time you showed that you cared and made an effort, all day, every day, all year long?” asked Tapashree Mukherjee of Cooch Behar.

Mrs Mukherjee, who was married to a doctor last February, said: “The truth is, it’s impossible to be perfect all year long because life isn’t perfect.”

“There’s always going to be screaming kids, or a thankless boss, or bad hair days. There will always be stress of some sort in our lives, and so, we will not be the serene, caring and thoughtful partners we were supposed to be, throughout the year. We cannot possibly be. To be perfect for 365 days is asking far too much ~ but hey, here’s an idea, how about just one day?” Mrs Mukherjee said.