14th February?

14th Feb? What exactly is it? A Valentine's Day? Maybe for the rest of the world. But for India no doubt it is a 'Black Day'. 14th February 2019, a terror attack was carried out in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide bomber resulting in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. 40, isn't a small digit. India lost its 40 gems that day. The day when the brutal Pulwama Terror Attack happened. It was undoubtedly a black day for all the Indians.

But guess what? Today, we all are busy celebrating this Valentine's Day. Have we ever recalled those 40 gems? What are we doing? Celebrating a tradition that is not even ours? I am not against adapting to foreign cultures. But first, we should prioritise our country and our traditions. 

Even India used to celebrate February 14. Valentine's Day? No, but kind of the same, as this day is also for the ones who have always loved us more than anything, more than anyone, maybe more than our 'Valentine', This day is none other than Matru-Pitru Day or Matru-Pitru Din.

So, do we celebrate Matru-Pitru Din? In fact, on this day we are so busy with our Valentine that we don't get 'time' to even talk to our parents. And this is a harsh reality.

So, what exactly we should do, right? Can't we do everything? Recalling the Pulwama Attack doesn't mean we should sit sad all day and cry. Not necessarily, But can't we recall their sacrifice, give them at least a 2-minute tribute and thank them for serving the country till their last breath.

We all plan a lot for our Valentine. Good, in fact great. But can't we take some time out for those who never cared of time when we cried, when we got sick, when we called them? Can't we plan something special for those who planned our future perfectly back when we were kids? 

Look, planning for your Valentine and spending time with them is equally great. I am just telling you all to stay grounded. Towards our parents, towards our country and then to others.

A brief history

Matru Pitru Poojan Diwas

Matru Pitru Poojan Diwas is a festival initiated in 2007. On this day, children from all religions worship their parents and seek their blessings by offering them tilak, and garland. It is seen by many as a method to cement the bond between family members and to imbibe good values like respect, obedience and humility in children. Right-wing activists claim that it is an alternate method to counter teenage pregnancy.

In several states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, Valentine's Day has been officially renamed as Matru-Pitru Pujan Diwas.

Pulwama Attack Black Day

The Pulwama attack is one of the deadliest attacks on security personnel of India in Kashmir. As many as 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in the 2019 Pulwama attack when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a CRPF convoy. Since then, February 14 has been observed as a black day in India. 

The suicide bomber, identified as Jaish-e-Mohammad's Adil Ahmed Dar, rammed his vehicle into a bus with the CRPF convoy. World body United Nations and countries from across the globe, including the U.S., Russia, Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have condemned the brutal Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism.