Saint Valentine’s Day may have metamorphosed from its ancient liturgical roots into a modern celebration of relationships but it is still about love and affection, qualities that would serve humanity very well indeed, if only we had enough of it left in this age. And as we celebrate a tradition that has survived from the days of the Roman Empire, the world, especially India, has never felt more distressed over the treatment of women. Half the country’s population comprising women and children seems insecure.
It is against this background that the global campaign to end violence against women — One Billion Rising — initiated by the UN Secretary-General’s office — gains greater relevance. It’s a sad thought that even today statistics point to the probability of one in three women being raped or beaten in her lifetime.
It is a time for action as women rise in solidarity to demand an end to mindless gender-based atrocities. It’s also significant that on the eve of Valentine’s Day sitar maestro Ravi Shankar’s musician daughter, Anoushka, should admit that she suffered “groping, touching and verbal abuse” when she was a child by someone well known to her parents.
Anoushka’s admission points to an insidious danger present well within the small circle of a family. In raising women’s consciousness towards the need to rise in protest against abuse, Valentine’s Day and Anoushka’s call may have contributed something to ensure the lives of most unfortunate victims of rape and acid attacks may not go in vain.