Valentine’s day is the time to be in love and spend quality time with your loved one. You can see couples crowding restaurants, streets and almost any other public place they can display their love in. But what about singles? During this day of romance, teddy bears and hearts, people just seem to ignore single people who may or may not be looking for love. Chennai singles tell us why they need their own day of embracing and pampering themselves, Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.) and how they’re celebrating it.
“I’ve worked on every Valentine’s Day and this one is going to be the same. I don’t really celebrate it,” says actress Erica Fernandes. “Valentine’s is, frankly, over-hyped and overrated. Singles should definitely have their own day to celebrate themselves,” she adds. Joseph Lionel, a student, is taking the whole day with a pinch of salt and is excited to enjoy his singledom, “I want people to appreciate singles because I don’t want to say ‘Get a room’ to everyone on this day. Most singles don’t want to be single forever so Valentine’s seem like a death anniversary every year.” We venture to ask him how he’s going to celebrate Single’s day and he laughs, “I don’t know, maybe I’ll just have a dinner date with a mirror on the opposite seat.” Harshini, a professor of architecture says, “I’m probably going to go out with my girl gang and gift myself a pedicure. I’m really happy being single and I want to keep it that way. I don’t like the overload of hearts and romance, I want to spend the day pampering myself.”
With a few places hosting Anti-Valentines Day parties such as the one at Asiana Place, single’s day seems like a hit concept. But for some, every day is a celebration of their singledom. Actress Akshara Gowda says in jest, “I don’t think we need a special day to celebrate being single because we get enough attention all year. Let the couples have their Valentine’s.” And how is she spending her Valentine’s Day? “I’m going to take my sister out for a shopping trip.” Sounds like a good plan. Advocate Abraham Vishal Jacob, on the other hand, isn’t so kind about the romantic holiday. “I’d rather spend Ballantine’s day, at least it’s gone in the morning,” he says, referring to the popular alcoholic drink. He goes on to add, “Couples need to remind themselves why they’re together after 364 miserable days. Us singles, well, we’ve got all year!” Chennai singles sure seem to be embracing being alone on Valentine’s Day and seem to be all for a day to celebrate it. So, what are you doing this Singles’ Awareness Day?
