For school children, V-Day is bike rides, flowers..

CHANDIGARH: The Western concept of exchanging cards and gifts with one’s Valentine has now become an integral part of the youngsters’ calendar of ‘happening’ days in a year. But what does the day mean to school children?
Though a majority have no clue about the historical importance of the day, a heightened manifestation of the feelings for the opposite sex in the present day society has made the children, specially those in the higher classes, aware of the day’s ‘practical’ significance.Says Vivek Negi of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, "What I have come to understand is that a boy goes out and tells his feelings to the girl he loves."
Along with his friend Amit, Vivek plans to visit all the hot spots, the most important being the ‘geri’ route, including Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Sector 17. The duo plan to catch up with their girlfriends who happen to be college students.
Sample this one from Arpana, a class X student of another school in Sector 8. "It is essentially a day for the girlfriend and the boyfriend. The boy gives a gift to the girl and takes her out for a ride on the bike." The oncoming Board exams of classes X and XII have, however, dampened the youngsters’ desire to go out and party.
Says Samleen, a plus two student of Sacred Heart Convent School. "A majority of the students are busy preparing for the exams. As for me, I do not have a boyfriend so I will be returning home straight after school." Her classmate, Priyanka, however, gives another dimension to the significance of the day, that goes way beyond her years. "The younger generation does not understand the importance of the day.
Valentine’s day is not just about boys wooing girls. The day is for showing people who have made a difference in your life that you care. This could include your mother, father, brother or for that matter any person." She plans to give a gift to her parents on the day.