Many call it a commercial charade, a side-effect of globalisation, a western conspiracy to pollute the mindset of our youth. Or as Jai Bhagwan Goel, ex-Shiv Sena chief and now Rashtravadi Sena supremo said in his interview to newslaundry – “Have all 365 days of the year for love, why just February 14”. Even if Valentine’s Day is not an exclusive day for romantic love, it’s a good excuse for an outing. We give you 5 reasons to go to a park instead of those malls and multiplexes.

1)    It’s free under a tree.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to spend time together without spending money. Coffee at an upmarket cafe translates into an expense of at least Rs. 500, and you cannot occupy the table for more than 2 hours. Tickets for a movie would cost the same, more for popcorn and you have to vacate immediately after the 3 hour film. Restaurants and lounges are expensive propositions and the table here too needs to be vacated soon for the next paying customer. The waiter will embarrass you with his interruptions until you do. It is only in a park that you can spend six hours together without spending a penny.

2)    It’s hush-hush in the bush.

Remember the tag line of a soft-drink commercial ‘don’t do yahaa, do wahaa, jhaadi ke piche’. The commercial had a message for guys who pee by the road. While they continue to irrigate the footpaths, the bushes serve a better purpose – of camouflaging smooching couples. Watching Hollywood movies, one envies how convenient it is for them to kiss anywhere. While in the land of Kamasutra a couple cannot walk holding hands without inviting stares. Don’t even try cuddling. Many couples cosy up in movie halls but if you don’t have corner seats curious film watchers on either side might find your pubic display of affection more riveting than what’s on screen. Uncomfortable! You may choose a car, but for how long can you be holed up in your vehicle? Next time, before you scorn mortals in love; remember Adam and Eve made love in the Garden of Eden.

3)    It’s a green serene space.

You are away from all commercial compulsions in a park. So take that cake you baked for your partner, without worrying that you won’t be permitted to eat homemade food in a restaurant. You are also away from the ambient noise typical of a mall. So sing or recite a poem, comforted that your voice won’t drown out. When there is green grass and blue sky, the world is more beautiful for and You and I. And more peaceful too.

4) Support Tree hugger movement.

Tree Huggers would hug trees tight and dare those with axes. An eminent activist Sunderlal Bahuguna led a ‘Chipko movement’ in the 1970s that saved much of the Himalayan forests from being chopped off. Women in a remote village named Reni had hugged their trees in a moment no less emotional than when Laila hugged her Majnu. Today when trees are few, we ought to dedicate a big hug for them. Of course after the couple is done hugging each other!

5) Let the love grow, naturally.

Ever wonder what the secret of Bollywood love stories having happy endings is? It is dancing around trees. And for those not comfortable dancing, being around trees will also suffice. Today when we inhabit concrete jungles, to be with nature also connects you to your natural self. Being in a park automatically makes your kisses as delightfully ticklish as the coming together of two flowers like in Jitendra-Sridevi films. Love blossoms. Love grows. Like other things organic and natural.

The 5 reasons were brought to you by a person who has been there and done that!

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