Valentine's Day: From Ancient Sacrifice to Modern Indian Phenomenon

• Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, originated from Saint Valentine's defiance of Emperor Claudius II's marriage ban, leading to his execution.
• The day became a symbol of love and devotion, further popularized in the Middle Ages by European poets associating February with love.
• In India, Valentine's Day gained significant popularity after 1990, driven by economic liberalization and the influx of foreign media.
• Key factors for its rise in India include global media influence (MTV, Hollywood), urbanization, marketing campaigns, and social media.
• Despite opposition from traditional groups, its prevalence among Indian youth continued to grow, becoming a major cultural event.