Tarika Jain, February 13, 2013

Shopkeepers across the nation have been left dumbfounded this Valentine’s season. Never before in the history of this day has such a phenomenon been noted: an increasing demand for rakhis by girls all over the country.

There have been various speculations to understand the reason behind this strange occurrence. Experts from economics, psychology and sociology are debating over the causes behind this phenomenon.

“Valentine’s Day is overrated. What girls don’t usually see is that it is making them dependent upon the guy’s whims and fancies. This is my way of supporting feminism. No, this has nothing to do with the fact that I have been single all my life,” says a rather flustered Shweta, while 23-year-old Kriti says, “All my friends are doing it. It’s the trend of the day. It’s so cool!”

“The thing is, Valentine’s Day is a Western conspiracy to exploit the Indian markets. They have commodified love and are shamelessly selling it in the stores! The Rakhi symbolizes everything opposite to this,” explains Akanksha.

Heart-broken guys have taken to social media to express their despair. Valentine’s Day for many is that day of the year when they feel empowered enough to ask out the girl they like. But now with the terror of girls taking up their master weapon for a second time in the year, many guys feel scared of stepping outside their homes.

Certain pro-Hindutva groups called this a “much awaited enlightening” of Indian youth. They have expressed hope for a “more pure future” that would be “in concurrence with our glorious past and traditions”.