Why Shiv Sena is lying low this Valentine's Day

MUMBAI: With Aditya, grandson of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray taking over the Yuva Sena reins, the party, which once vociferously opposed Valentine's Day celebrations, has chosen to lie low on the issue, in a bid to woo young voters and avoid controversy ahead of the BMC polls.

"We think there are more important issues to be sorted out than opposing Valentine's Day. The youth are also not much enthusiastic about the day and the celebrations have become less in last two-three years," president of Bhartiya Vidyarthi Sena, the party's students' wing, Abhijit Panse told PTI.

Defending the party's decision, Abhijit said the Sena has taken up issues like helping the youths to get jobs in railways.

The Sena, in the recent years had objections to celebrating the day, terming it a 'western festival'. Party activists indulged in vandalism, threatening youths and attacking gift shops.

A Sena leader, on condition of anonymity, said the party is eyeing BMC polls next year and in no way can afford to loose young voters.

"Development programmes like railway recruitment would attract them more to the party. Even the Yuva Sena does not want to get into any kind of controversy which would hurt sentiments of youth," he added.

Meanwhile, rival Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said it never opposed Valentine's Day celebrations.

"We have never opposed the Valentine's Day celebrations, it's Sena which has changed its stand about the day," MNS legislator Nitin Sardesai said.

Taking a dig at Sena, home minister R R Patil yesterday said Uddhav should take advice from son Aditya over stand to be taken on Valentine's Day celebrations. He was speaking about the security measures taken by police to thwart untoward incidents on Valentine's Day. 

TOI

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Couples lock lips for record in Thai kiss marathon

PATTAYA, Thailand: A kiss is still a kiss -- even if it goes on for over a day.

Fourteen couples from across Thailand gathered at Pattaya beach resort to try and break the world record for kissing, attempting to spend more than 32 hours locked lip-to-lip.

The marathon kicked off at 6:00 am local on Sunday (2300 GMT), with each couple given a space of 1 square metre (3 ft 3 in square) in which they had to spend the time kissing, without leaving except for bathroom breaks.

Any break in the lip lock resulted in disqualification. Besides the world record, couples were aiming for a diamond ring worth 50,000 baht ($1,624) and a 100,000 baht cash prize.

Participants took part to show their love and mark Valentine's Day, although kissing in public is quite unusual in Thailand.

"I'm just taking part for fun, and I'm looking forward to kissing for a long time," said Felix Werth, a 32-year-old German participating with his Thai girlfriend, 21-year-old Urairat Oottaboon.

During the event, couples were not allowed to sit, sleep or leave the venue. They also had to continue kissing while using the toilet, with staff accompanying them to verify the fact.

Within the limits, though, organizers did what they could to make the couples comfortable. Werth and Urairat, for example, had a 33-centimetre (13 inch) height difference, but a box was provided for her to stand on.

Food and drink could only be taken through straws, again with lips locked. "I just want to show my love to my boyfriend and everybody who is in love on Valentine's Day," said 31-year-old Nonthawat Charoenkesornsin before the event began.

When the whistle blew, couples started kissing. The previous record of 32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds was set in Germany.

"These couples, who joined the longest kissing world record, are people who are in love," said organizer Somporn Narksuetrong.

"They want to be part of history by entering this competition to show their love."

But while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak, with couples starting to drop out as time went on.

One woman fainted after just 34 minutes. Others left after a few hours.

"I could not make it anymore because my neck is hurting," said Amporn Ketmao.

The event is due to continue until Monday afternoon. 

REUTERS

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Couples to bring in V-day with 'I Do'

MUMBAI: Red hearts make a common theme between wedding albums and Valentine's Day, and given that an auspicious marriage mahurat occurs on February 14 this year, several young couples are planning to club the occasion by getting married on Monday.

Even local politicians have been hit by Cupid's arrow. Andheri corporator Mohsin Haider organized a three-day mass wedding of Muslim couples in the run-up to Valentine's Day while the new chief of the BJP Yuva Morcha, Ameet Satam, has chosen this day to tie the knot.

"My fiance Shweta and I were debating three 'mahurats' (auspicious timings) this month but we finally chose February 14 because our anniversary would become memorable each year," says Satam. Rib him about the opposition that some radical elements have displayed towards the festival of love and the politician in him comes to the rescue.

"Well, the BJP has never taken a stand against Valentine's Day. How can we oppose something that symbolizes love? All we ask is that 'Westernisation' should not hijack our culture and that people should not become too demonstrative about their private feelings in public."

Local members of the BJP alliance partner, the Shiv Sena, will also attend the February 14 ceremony and bless the union. "After all, they will come to attend my wedding not celebrate Valentine's Day," says Satam.

At the other end of the spectrum, corporator Mohsin Haider organized a three-day mass wedding of 30 couples at Andheri's Fidai Baug. Most of them were traditional Muslims who were marrying according to the wishes of the family. Twenty-one-year old Shaikh Ashfaq, an ice merchant from Jalgaon, spoke to TOI minutes after his wedding on Saturday night: "Praise be to Allah, I have never been happier. I have never celebrated Valentine's Day before, but this year I have occasion to do so."

In neighbouring Kandivli, photographer Chetan Shah is packing his bags for a special assignment. Shah will travel to Ahmedabad on Sunday along with the groom's party to shoot the Valentine's Day wedding of Rahul Ghorecha.

"I normally frame close-ups with red hearts and that symbol fits doubly well this day," he laughs.While Ghorecha, a 29-year-old interior designer based in Dahisar was the centre of attention at Saturday's pre-wedding rituals, his brother Kamlesh stepped aside to say that the family had unanimously settled on February 14.

"My father doesn't care much for Valentine's Day but he did not object because the mahurat is aptly suited to the couple's horoscopes," Kamlesh said.

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