Tag: February 14

Special Occasion

Valentine’s Day 2026: More Than Roses, It’s About Real Love

Tanisha Cardozo

Valentine’s Day arrives each year wrapped in red roses, heart-shaped chocolates and candlelit dinner reservations. But beyond the commercial gloss lies something far more meaningful — the human need for connection.

February 14 has evolved over centuries, from a feast day honouring Saint Valentine to a global celebration of romance. Today, it transcends borders, cultures and traditions. In cities, couples queue outside restaurants for the perfect dinner date. In quieter homes, handwritten letters are slipped across tables. In friend groups, “Galentine’s” brunches celebrate sisterhood. And for many, it becomes a day of intentional self-care.

But what truly makes Valentine’s Day special?

It’s the pause. The deliberate choice to express what we often assume is understood. A simple “I appreciate you.” A message you’ve been meaning to send. A bouquet that says what words sometimes cannot.

Interestingly, the meaning of love itself has expanded. Younger generations are redefining the day — focusing not just on romantic partners but on friendships, family bonds and self-worth. Social media feeds fill with proposals and curated surprises, but the most powerful moments are often the quiet ones: cooking together at home, revisiting a shared memory, or forgiving an old misunderstanding.

There’s also a growing emphasis on self-love. In a world that constantly demands productivity and perfection, Valentine’s Day can become a reminder to treat yourself with the same kindness you offer others. That might mean buying your own flowers, taking a solo trip, or simply unplugging for an evening.

And perhaps that’s the most important shift. Love is no longer confined to grand gestures. It lives in effort, presence and intention.

So this year, ask yourself:
Who deserves to hear “I love you” from you?
Have you said it to yourself lately?

Valentine’s Day 2026 is not just about roses. It’s about reflection. It’s about gratitude. It’s about choosing connection in a world that often feels disconnected.

However you celebrate — extravagantly or simply — let it be real. Let it be meaningful. And most importantly, let it be yours.

Special Occasion

Pulwama: Remembering the Day That Shook a Nation

Tanisha Cardozo

On February 14, 2019, what began as a routine convoy movement along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway turned into one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent Indian history. A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force in Pulwama, killing 40 personnel.

The attack sent shockwaves across India. Images of smoke rising from the highway flooded television screens. Families waited anxiously for confirmation. The country watched in grief as coffins draped in the tricolour arrived in hometowns across states.

Responsibility for the bombing was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, escalating already fragile tensions between India and Pakistan. In the days that followed, India carried out airstrikes in Balakot, marking a significant shift in its response to cross-border terrorism. The episode triggered diplomatic offensives, international scrutiny and a renewed debate over national security strategy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that the sacrifice of the soldiers would not go unanswered. Across the country, candlelight vigils were held. Schools observed moments of silence. Social media turned into a space of collective mourning and solidarity.

For many Indians, Pulwama became more than a headline. It became a reminder of the human cost of conflict. Behind every uniform was a son, a husband, a father, a friend. The stories of the fallen — their dreams, their families, their everyday lives — resonated deeply with citizens who had never met them but felt the loss personally.

Years later, the attack continues to influence security policies in Jammu and Kashmir and shape India’s counterterrorism posture. It also remains a solemn marker in the national calendar — a day of remembrance.

As each anniversary passes, the questions remain complex, the geopolitics layered and the emotions raw. But one sentiment endures: the resolve to honour those who lost their lives in service of the nation.

Pulwama is not just a place on the map. For millions, it is a memory of grief, unity and unwavering tribute.