Editors' note: Lake Life editor Ashley Hanry is sending dispatches from her journey to India as part of the regional Rotary Exchange Program:
Feb. 14 marked a huge holiday in celebration of love in the United States, but the day is not quite as special in India.
The holiday has been celebrated here for the past decade but not with as much hoopla.
Our team arrived to the Calicut Rotary on Valentine's Day, and the members organized a special celebration at the Calicut Cosmo Politan Club with our hosts.
After meeting up, ordering drinks and chit-chatting, the evening began with the emcee asking us to give Indians tips for Valentine's Day, since they know little about how to celebrate this Western holiday.
Our suggestions involved the typical ways Westerners would woo their partners on this annual day: buy jewelry, cook a romantic candlelit meal, spend quality time together and give each other flowers and chocolates.
Next, Indian guests were asked what the day meant to them. The first two women coyly giggled and passed the microphone back to the emcee by only saying they didn't know what to do for the holiday and had never celebrated it before.
The third woman said this was her second year celebrating with her husband, but needed more ideas from us to know how she should act on this day. One woman spoke up and said she thinks on this day she should be honoring her husband by giving him flowers, some candy and making him whatever meal he desired.
Next the men were questioned. They had little to no ideas. None felt they could pull off cooking their wives a meal - here it is very uncommon for a man to cook.
None suggested buying their wife a gift, as well. This is not because they don't care but mainly because they see the holiday as a ploy to sell products.
There has even been protests in the country by groups who oppose the holiday on the grounds that it is a Western concept and an affront to Indian cultural values. Some groups known here as the “moral police” hit the streets on Valentine's Day targeting couples who hold hands publicly, exchange gifts or people shopping for Valentine's related items.
Two years ago in Kerala (the state in India I am visiting now), mobs attacked gift shops that were displaying Valentine's Day gifts.
There have also been reports of isolated incidents of violence against young couples who are said to be degrading society by celebrating this Western holiday.
Our hosts all said there is resistance, but the idea is present and becoming more popular. The night continued with music and dancing - but only Bollywood music from romance movies, of course.
The holiday has been celebrated here for the past decade but not with as much hoopla.
Our team arrived to the Calicut Rotary on Valentine's Day, and the members organized a special celebration at the Calicut Cosmo Politan Club with our hosts.
After meeting up, ordering drinks and chit-chatting, the evening began with the emcee asking us to give Indians tips for Valentine's Day, since they know little about how to celebrate this Western holiday.
Our suggestions involved the typical ways Westerners would woo their partners on this annual day: buy jewelry, cook a romantic candlelit meal, spend quality time together and give each other flowers and chocolates.
Next, Indian guests were asked what the day meant to them. The first two women coyly giggled and passed the microphone back to the emcee by only saying they didn't know what to do for the holiday and had never celebrated it before.
The third woman said this was her second year celebrating with her husband, but needed more ideas from us to know how she should act on this day. One woman spoke up and said she thinks on this day she should be honoring her husband by giving him flowers, some candy and making him whatever meal he desired.
Next the men were questioned. They had little to no ideas. None felt they could pull off cooking their wives a meal - here it is very uncommon for a man to cook.
None suggested buying their wife a gift, as well. This is not because they don't care but mainly because they see the holiday as a ploy to sell products.
There has even been protests in the country by groups who oppose the holiday on the grounds that it is a Western concept and an affront to Indian cultural values. Some groups known here as the “moral police” hit the streets on Valentine's Day targeting couples who hold hands publicly, exchange gifts or people shopping for Valentine's related items.
Two years ago in Kerala (the state in India I am visiting now), mobs attacked gift shops that were displaying Valentine's Day gifts.
There have also been reports of isolated incidents of violence against young couples who are said to be degrading society by celebrating this Western holiday.
Our hosts all said there is resistance, but the idea is present and becoming more popular. The night continued with music and dancing - but only Bollywood music from romance movies, of course.
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