Pakistan has progressed a lot since 1947. A lot more than expected, in fact, a lot more than was even possible! From simple binary of 35 million urban & rural Pakistanis, we are now a wondrous tapestry of 220 million delightful paradoxes and colourful contradictions with 2 billion opinions.
These colours and opinions become extremely vivid and pronounced around erstwhile Basant and now the Valentine’s Day. A few decades ago both would fall almost around the same time. But with Basant being banned by the Sharifs (a curse that I believe led to their troubles), the contradictory colours come to wrestle in the streets and on screens on Valentine’s day.
So welcome to the vibrant jamboree of roses and faithful festival of frowns in Pakistan, dears.
Our homeland has numerous binaries and dividing lines into its social, political, economic and cultural aspects. This happens almost in every country with such socio-cultural diversity. But in our case, the elements that we employed to unify a new nation and state 70 years ago – like faith, language, and national interest – have caused more binaries and divisions. A unique feat.
Now, in every aspect of our being, we have at least 3 groups, if not 4 or 5. Like we have Army’s Pakistan, Judiciary’s Pakistan, Democracy’s Pakistan, TV anchors Pakistan, and everyone else’s Pakistan. Similarly, there are Urdu Medium Pakistanis, English Medium Pakistanis, Halal Pakistanis, Social-Media Pakistanis, angry Pakistanis, and hatred filled, hot-headed Pakistanis.
Regarding Valentine’s day, there are three and a half groups of Pakistanis: those who are for Valentine’s Day, those who are against those who are for Valentine’s day, 100 million who are oblivious of this or any other day, and those half-hearted faithless-believers who want to ravel in the fragrance of the Valentine’s Day with vehement opposition to roses.
Every Valentine’s Day triggers several opposing streams of actions, assertions, reaction and even petitions in the courts. This day sets in a festival of frowns on social media, and a fragrant vibrancy on streets, homes cafés and hearts of the young and the old. Using a cliché, you can oppose Valentine’s Day, you can hate it, but you can’t ignore it and keep sleeping all day.
The tussle around Valentine’s Day reminds of India-Pakistan cricket ODI. Those who transact roses are jubilant like fans of the winning team. Those who try to snatch the roses with a loose and reluctant grip, get hurt by the thorns and reel in self afflicted hurt and humiliation are on the wrong side of the celebration.
I often wonder if Valentine’s Day would be celebrated in the hereafter. My hunch is probably not.
Not that it would be prohibited there. But because the company of 6 dozen virgins, unlimited supply of wines and the consequent inebriation will not leave any energy or thrill in pursuing a beauty, wooing a beau, or competing for a heartthrob. Hence, ease of access to our abundant supply of sinful commodity saps all thrill associated with its competitive pursuit.
So far, we have been made to believe that thrill is a teammate of guns. I say it’s not.
The pursuit of beauty or a desired mate invokes the deepest delight and thrill in evolved humans. This is one battle where guns are irrelevant, thorns are spoilsport and roses act as the surest armoury to win hearts.
A society can expose its youth either to roses and fragrance; or guns and frowns. The US tilted in favour of the latter; Europeans inclined to the former. We in Pakistan swing both ways – with guns in our eyes, our hands scratch the rose petals like thorns of a carnivorous wild bush.
Now that we have tried guns and blasts a lot in the last 40 years, let’s give a chance to the red blush that kills lovers and ends up infusing life in them.
May thorns beneath roses be trimmed. May guns be hanged on walls. May fragrance be upon us all.
PS: Don’t fall for the abbreviation of the Valentine’s Day; those who tend to call it VD are not looking for economy of expression; it’s their vengeance at play.
Happy Valentine’s Day to whom it may concern ☺
