Modern Love in Punjab

 Love is the biggest paradox of all times of our lives . It’s Valentines in a day and I wonder about the exchange of gifts , balloons and presents to each other . When I was growing up , if a kissing scene came or there was a hint of love the birds would start twittering , or two buds would kiss each other ! Also , what we kept handy was the remote , suddenly the channel would change or one of us would get a hint with humph from our father or uncle and we would hurry up and  twist the knob!

It’s no wonder we are still grappling with ever increasing population and one of the highest consumption of condoms but we still have no knowledge of sex ! Valentine cards are sold at an all time high , red roses , strawberries coated with chocolate , presents which can be from the mundane to the exotic depending upon your pocket or even beyond it .  I was in the market and it’s as a sight for my village eyes and one could see the materialistic fervour and the marketing gimmick to sell an utopian dream , imagine you could only love or declare your love if you had given a teddy .

This year , I seriously followed the promise , teddy , hug , promise , kiss day and I was wondering how we ( women ) put ourselves out for a morsel of affection or approval ! How about if we just gave ourselves these without the time line or the stress and pressure of the dates ?

I found the best ones here , they were dual purpose love balloons, one was proclaiming my love and on the other side was the political party symbol!  One could be the love charger and also remind one of the political affiliation ! In the last political election , we had a couple that was divided over the parties they support but strangely now their shop is selling the balloons with different party symbols and trying to make a quick buck buts when I asked about their love they said it was evergreen but sharam karo no one talks about it !

Apparently , now life’s pace has changed and as the netas changed their parties so does the youth change the partners and the biggest change is that we have accepted all this as well sab chalta hai .. Now , no one shies away when a kissing scene comes nor do the birds coo , the flowers don’t kiss nor do the pigeons come , all there is a rating to check you. 

I’m all for love , Cupid and the roses and even good governance but this crass commercialisation has put me off! Imagine getting a ballon and on the other side it says vote for …