Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Happy belated Birthday to me.....
29th Oct -- Had a blast... The rainiest and one the most memorable days....
Saturday, October 20, 2007
If only we can......
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run --
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling.
This is the original and complete poem which featured in the telugu flick 'Happy Days'.... Which Shreya ma'am(Kamalini Mukherjee) asks Rajesh to get by heart.... And which he recites during his placement process.
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run --
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling.
This is the original and complete poem which featured in the telugu flick 'Happy Days'.... Which Shreya ma'am(Kamalini Mukherjee) asks Rajesh to get by heart.... And which he recites during his placement process.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Happy Days
Just watched the flick... Im all in praise for it. Shekhar Kammula has certainly the elements in him to bring some freshness into the dynasty ridden world of tollywood.
A must watch for youth in general and students in particular.... especially if u belong to the coveted 'engineers' community.
An engineering student myself, I come out of the theatre relating the characters and story to myself. For those of u who are into the hectic world of profession... u are bound to get nostalgic of ur college days, crushes, parties and loves while watching the movie.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Content & happy but..............
...... how long will the good days last??? for a week?... a month?... a year?... or for a lifetime?
That was just the pessimist in me.
That was just the pessimist in me.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Possessiveness
POSSESSIVENESS --- What is it with this particular feeling.... it drives people to the verge of insanity. Especially among the fairer sex.... clients from Venus.
Is 'friendship' a synonym for the word 'possessiveness'?... again particularly among friends belonging to the opposite sexes.
This particular feeling has gone a long way into disturbing what has to be one of the most wonderful relationships between some very close friends of mine. Friendship beckons possessiveness, which in turn beckons jealousy. Does friendship require that a person really has to kill his own principles and thoughts for the sake of the so called friend.... isn't it supposed to be more of understanding and mutual respect for each others principles and feelings?.
Damn the P word.... it is driving so many people into the hurricane of emotional trauma... creating rifts between the very best of friends and partners.
I've recognised the danger of this possessiveness quite early and I'm playing along without being drifted into it... but alas not everyone has the foresight, so I see the bestest of friends drifting apart. There is little I can do except a word of the mouth, but I understand that neither of the friends can once again be the happy themselves.
Is 'friendship' a synonym for the word 'possessiveness'?... again particularly among friends belonging to the opposite sexes.
This particular feeling has gone a long way into disturbing what has to be one of the most wonderful relationships between some very close friends of mine. Friendship beckons possessiveness, which in turn beckons jealousy. Does friendship require that a person really has to kill his own principles and thoughts for the sake of the so called friend.... isn't it supposed to be more of understanding and mutual respect for each others principles and feelings?.
Damn the P word.... it is driving so many people into the hurricane of emotional trauma... creating rifts between the very best of friends and partners.
I've recognised the danger of this possessiveness quite early and I'm playing along without being drifted into it... but alas not everyone has the foresight, so I see the bestest of friends drifting apart. There is little I can do except a word of the mouth, but I understand that neither of the friends can once again be the happy themselves.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Wah Taj !!!
I wish it finds a place among the 7 wonders... to be remembered by the generations to come... to be read about... learnt about... sung about...
This is the last chance... VOTE NOW !!!
Post results: The Taj has made it to the list of the 7 wonders of the modern world, buoyed by a whooping 13% of the total votes being from India. Once again the population of India displays its might.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Opal Mehta Gets a Life
My latest read- a really funny book and a must-read. It's about this nerdy girl Opal Mehta whose ambition is to get into Harvard. She gets rejected the first time as she has no idea of 'fun'. But then she chalks out a plan with her parents which turns out to be a wreck. But still in the process she manages to get kissed, get wild and get a life.If Five point someone appealed to you, this book definitely will too.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Living with purpose - from Shubham's blog
I was born in a middle class household.
My parents gave me the best education they could afford.
After schooling, I choose a stream of graduation, that most of my classmates did.
After completing my higher studies, I joined a respectable company.
After working for a few years, I got married; and my responsibilities increased.
Within a couple of years, my 1st child was born. A second one followed soon afterwards.
The foremost aim of my life now was to provide a good upbringing to my children.
I gave them the best education and values that I could, just like my parents had done to me. I saw them grow up and become self reliant.
The years passed by, I retired from my job, retreated to my hometown, and spent the rest of my days in peace.
Then one fine day, I had an heart-attack, and died.
Isn’t this the story of most of our lives?
Don’t most of us live our lives along predictable lines?
Aren’t most of the decisions we take during our lives dictated by what our peers are doing?
Have we ever sat back and wondered, if the decisions we make all our lives, are dictated by what we want, or what we have been told is the right thing to do?
Have we ever asked ourselves the questions,
Why have I been born?
What is the purpose of my life?
How is my life different from the billions around me?
Am I not wasting the life God has given me, by just going through the motions?
How will people remember me when I am gone?
Or will people remember me at all?
Do I want to sit back at the fag end of my days, and be at a loss to figure out what I achieved in life?
Do I want to live an unknown life, and die and unknown death, like the hundreds of generations before me?
Or do I want to do something different, be someone different, make a difference.
You may say,
Studying well, working hard, fulfilling my parents’ ambitions, and looking after my children, in the very purpose of my life.
If I can do all this well, I will feel I have been succeeded in my life.
After all, how many people can claim to have done all these things well?
But I say,
Though not many succeed, but everyone tries to achieve the above.
What are you doing in your life which others are not?
What is your distinct identity?
Are you one among a million, or one in a million?
Not everyone can become a Gandhi or a Gates.
Not everyone has the ability, or the opportunity, to change the world.But that does not mean each of us cannot make a difference in our own little worlds.
Each one of us can pursue a unique passion, follow a novel hobby, help the society, protect the environment, raise awareness, oppose injustice, read, write, play, sing, speak.
Why not do something that makes us unique, something that people appreciate, something that people remember.
No matter how small the contribution, no matter how few it impacts, it is better than living without a purpose.
Kabeera jab hum paida hue, jag hanse hum roye..
Aisi karni kar chalo, hum hanse jag roye..
(When you were born.. you wept, while the world smiled..
Live such a life, that when you die.. you smile, while the world weeps..)
This post was from Shubham's blog.... loved it soo much.
My parents gave me the best education they could afford.
After schooling, I choose a stream of graduation, that most of my classmates did.
After completing my higher studies, I joined a respectable company.
After working for a few years, I got married; and my responsibilities increased.
Within a couple of years, my 1st child was born. A second one followed soon afterwards.
The foremost aim of my life now was to provide a good upbringing to my children.
I gave them the best education and values that I could, just like my parents had done to me. I saw them grow up and become self reliant.
The years passed by, I retired from my job, retreated to my hometown, and spent the rest of my days in peace.
Then one fine day, I had an heart-attack, and died.
Isn’t this the story of most of our lives?
Don’t most of us live our lives along predictable lines?
Aren’t most of the decisions we take during our lives dictated by what our peers are doing?
Have we ever sat back and wondered, if the decisions we make all our lives, are dictated by what we want, or what we have been told is the right thing to do?
Have we ever asked ourselves the questions,
Why have I been born?
What is the purpose of my life?
How is my life different from the billions around me?
Am I not wasting the life God has given me, by just going through the motions?
How will people remember me when I am gone?
Or will people remember me at all?
Do I want to sit back at the fag end of my days, and be at a loss to figure out what I achieved in life?
Do I want to live an unknown life, and die and unknown death, like the hundreds of generations before me?
Or do I want to do something different, be someone different, make a difference.
You may say,
Studying well, working hard, fulfilling my parents’ ambitions, and looking after my children, in the very purpose of my life.
If I can do all this well, I will feel I have been succeeded in my life.
After all, how many people can claim to have done all these things well?
But I say,
Though not many succeed, but everyone tries to achieve the above.
What are you doing in your life which others are not?
What is your distinct identity?
Are you one among a million, or one in a million?
Not everyone can become a Gandhi or a Gates.
Not everyone has the ability, or the opportunity, to change the world.But that does not mean each of us cannot make a difference in our own little worlds.
Each one of us can pursue a unique passion, follow a novel hobby, help the society, protect the environment, raise awareness, oppose injustice, read, write, play, sing, speak.
Why not do something that makes us unique, something that people appreciate, something that people remember.
No matter how small the contribution, no matter how few it impacts, it is better than living without a purpose.
Kabeera jab hum paida hue, jag hanse hum roye..
Aisi karni kar chalo, hum hanse jag roye..
(When you were born.. you wept, while the world smiled..
Live such a life, that when you die.. you smile, while the world weeps..)
This post was from Shubham's blog.... loved it soo much.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Je suis arrière
My last credible post is dated hmmmm..... 17th June 2006. That was like... an year ago. What have I been doing... lotta things happened, quite a lot.... k, really not quite a lot, just a few but gr8 in magnitude.
I've been wondering if this blogging thing was just a fad that hit... stayed for some time... and went. I could not agree that this was just a fad... I wanted to come back... I always wanted, but it took some time. There are things which have come in recently like Orkut... and yes its true that I could not come back to blogging becs of Orkut. Orkut has become the first thing I open every day.. even before my mail. Social networking basically IS a great idea... isn't it.
I have gone thru my favourite blogs yesterday(also after a whole year) and guess what... most of them have been as numb as mine. So I'm not the only irregular blogger. I've got company.
And I'm into the final year of engineering... and I still remember the day I joined as if it were just the day before yesterday. The three years have been fun... WOW! real fun... hope the final year stretches out and lasts a bit coz I'm enjoying the course.
I got placed in Infosys... it was my dream company. But then again it's not a really wonderful feeling when I've come to know that every bloke down the street and around the corner has been placed with some company or the other. I always wanted to be one IN a million but it happens that I'm just one AMONG a million. Truly pissed off!!!
God knows when I'll be posting again.
I've been wondering if this blogging thing was just a fad that hit... stayed for some time... and went. I could not agree that this was just a fad... I wanted to come back... I always wanted, but it took some time. There are things which have come in recently like Orkut... and yes its true that I could not come back to blogging becs of Orkut. Orkut has become the first thing I open every day.. even before my mail. Social networking basically IS a great idea... isn't it.
I have gone thru my favourite blogs yesterday(also after a whole year) and guess what... most of them have been as numb as mine. So I'm not the only irregular blogger. I've got company.
And I'm into the final year of engineering... and I still remember the day I joined as if it were just the day before yesterday. The three years have been fun... WOW! real fun... hope the final year stretches out and lasts a bit coz I'm enjoying the course.
I got placed in Infosys... it was my dream company. But then again it's not a really wonderful feeling when I've come to know that every bloke down the street and around the corner has been placed with some company or the other. I always wanted to be one IN a million but it happens that I'm just one AMONG a million. Truly pissed off!!!
God knows when I'll be posting again.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Monday, August 14, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Communal response to terror? A trap
Israel, the world's most vengeful nation, is in the thick of yet another war. The irony is that it has incidentally thrown light on
(a) the intransigence of communal forces within our country and
(b) India's isolation in the world.
A demonstrator's placard in Bombay said all there was to be said about the communal lobby's game of divisiveness. Addressing the visiting Dr.Abdul Kalam directly, it said: "Mr. President, we have been silent for 58 years. We can't be silent now. Use your missiles."
Against whom? Certainly not against the terrorists holed up in Mahim or Hyderabad. The demonstrator meant that India should fire missiles against Pakistan. Just as Israel is doing against Palestinians. For many patriots among us Israel is the model to follow.
In fact nothing will be more self-destructive for India. Israel gets away with slaughter because America fully supports it. Bush justified even the latest attack with the refrain "Israel has the right to defend itself."
America will never concede that India has the right to defend itself against terror bases in Pakistan. In fact, America will not allow India even to criticise Pakistan. See what its reaction was to poor Manmohan Singh's spirited appeals in St. Petersburg. "Show us the evidence that Pakistan is involved," the Americans told him. One US ambassadorial flunkey even said that India should cooperate with Pakistan in the fight against terror!
The message is clear: The same America that enables Israel to kill and destroy with immunity will not let India fire a gun against Pakistan. India is not Israel and Pakistan is not Palestine. America supports Israel not because its enemies are Muslim, but because Israel is Jewish.
Pakistan, quite adroitly, has led the easily fooled Americans into believing that it is a "frontline state" in America's war against terror. Actually, it is in Pakistan's interest that al-Quaida and Osama bin Laden remain alive and kicking in their mountain fortresses. As long as they are there, Pakistan is assured of the "frontline state" status and all the military and diplomatic privileges ensuing from it. Musharraff is too smart for the Americans. And, it may now seem, for Indians.
For argument's sake, let us say a tough and patriotic party is in power in Delhi and it fires off a missile at a Pakistani target. The finger on the button in that country belongs to a general who had put nuclear warheads on the ready against India in an undeclared skirmish like Kargill. If and when an Indian missile flies in the direction of Pakistan, he will not hesitate to do the worst with an air of injured innocence. Then?
Don't forget that it is not just America that will stand by Pakistan in a moment of crisis. China is a close ally of Pakistan. The European Union is no friend of India's nuclear programmes. Russia is a friend, but it is also a friend of Pakistan. In a showdown India will find itself splendidly isolated.
Manmohan Singh's attempts to please America in everything from nuclear deals to wheat imports will not help India meet the Pakistani terror challenge.This is a war India must fight on its own, by building up an intelligence network that is the best in the world and by adopting tough methods that have helped other countries facing similar challenges. It cannot be fought by polarising Indians along religious lines. That's a trap that will help Pakistan.
TJS George
newindpress.com
(a) the intransigence of communal forces within our country and
(b) India's isolation in the world.
A demonstrator's placard in Bombay said all there was to be said about the communal lobby's game of divisiveness. Addressing the visiting Dr.Abdul Kalam directly, it said: "Mr. President, we have been silent for 58 years. We can't be silent now. Use your missiles."
Against whom? Certainly not against the terrorists holed up in Mahim or Hyderabad. The demonstrator meant that India should fire missiles against Pakistan. Just as Israel is doing against Palestinians. For many patriots among us Israel is the model to follow.
In fact nothing will be more self-destructive for India. Israel gets away with slaughter because America fully supports it. Bush justified even the latest attack with the refrain "Israel has the right to defend itself."
America will never concede that India has the right to defend itself against terror bases in Pakistan. In fact, America will not allow India even to criticise Pakistan. See what its reaction was to poor Manmohan Singh's spirited appeals in St. Petersburg. "Show us the evidence that Pakistan is involved," the Americans told him. One US ambassadorial flunkey even said that India should cooperate with Pakistan in the fight against terror!
The message is clear: The same America that enables Israel to kill and destroy with immunity will not let India fire a gun against Pakistan. India is not Israel and Pakistan is not Palestine. America supports Israel not because its enemies are Muslim, but because Israel is Jewish.
Pakistan, quite adroitly, has led the easily fooled Americans into believing that it is a "frontline state" in America's war against terror. Actually, it is in Pakistan's interest that al-Quaida and Osama bin Laden remain alive and kicking in their mountain fortresses. As long as they are there, Pakistan is assured of the "frontline state" status and all the military and diplomatic privileges ensuing from it. Musharraff is too smart for the Americans. And, it may now seem, for Indians.
For argument's sake, let us say a tough and patriotic party is in power in Delhi and it fires off a missile at a Pakistani target. The finger on the button in that country belongs to a general who had put nuclear warheads on the ready against India in an undeclared skirmish like Kargill. If and when an Indian missile flies in the direction of Pakistan, he will not hesitate to do the worst with an air of injured innocence. Then?
Don't forget that it is not just America that will stand by Pakistan in a moment of crisis. China is a close ally of Pakistan. The European Union is no friend of India's nuclear programmes. Russia is a friend, but it is also a friend of Pakistan. In a showdown India will find itself splendidly isolated.
Manmohan Singh's attempts to please America in everything from nuclear deals to wheat imports will not help India meet the Pakistani terror challenge.This is a war India must fight on its own, by building up an intelligence network that is the best in the world and by adopting tough methods that have helped other countries facing similar challenges. It cannot be fought by polarising Indians along religious lines. That's a trap that will help Pakistan.
TJS George
newindpress.com
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The royal sport
If there was anything on the idiot box that bored me the most....... it was Golf.
That was until I got into playing the sport at EME Golf club in Hyd.
In the beginning I was wondering what is the use of the stance, the different clubs, position and all. Can't a person play Golf using a single club rather than using Iron, Wood and all.
The actual game showed the difference. I was surprised at the difference each of the clubs produced. The stance seemed foolish in the beginning but it actually made all the difference. It was my first game and I was trying out my own stances but I could not make as much as a contact between the Club and ball. Surprisingly when I followed the coaches instruction - bent my knees a little, kept my left arm straight, eye sight fixed on the ball, bring down the club in a full swing not only did the club make contact but the ball soared well over 120 yards.
One of the boards on the course said - 'Millions are lost on the green and next to the green'. Before actually playing, I would have never believed that betting actually took place in Golf also.
That was until I got into playing the sport at EME Golf club in Hyd.
In the beginning I was wondering what is the use of the stance, the different clubs, position and all. Can't a person play Golf using a single club rather than using Iron, Wood and all.
The actual game showed the difference. I was surprised at the difference each of the clubs produced. The stance seemed foolish in the beginning but it actually made all the difference. It was my first game and I was trying out my own stances but I could not make as much as a contact between the Club and ball. Surprisingly when I followed the coaches instruction - bent my knees a little, kept my left arm straight, eye sight fixed on the ball, bring down the club in a full swing not only did the club make contact but the ball soared well over 120 yards.
One of the boards on the course said - 'Millions are lost on the green and next to the green'. Before actually playing, I would have never believed that betting actually took place in Golf also.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Pics in Hyderabad
Hyderabad CENTRAL and PVR Cinemas- The grandest shopping mall
The famous Prasad's IMAX complex
NTR Marg - The tomb of late N.T. Rama Rao
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
............
Looks like the great golden Phoenix has to lay down...... with tears in its eyes.
Tears to heal itself...... its heart...... from the wounds of love.
It loved and loves one...... and it hoped for love in return.
which it was forced to forego.
Hope the day comes.
When the great golden Phoenix has the power to rise once again.
It may be a loser now.
But it definitely is wiser...... a lot wiser.
-myself
Mohith! You are mighty
Just follow the link friends:
http://mohith.youaremighty.com
Cool, isn't it..... just replace ur name with mine in the above url and tryout.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
AutoBiography in 5 short chapters
1.
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost......I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
2.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
but, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
3.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.
4.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
5.
I walk down another street.
- By Portia Nelson
Monday, March 13, 2006
Holi hai !
The trees smile with their sprout
of tender leaves and blooming flowers,
Eternal nature with its transient expression
Hails spring! with ecstasy and joy!
Bewildering shades with so many tinge
The land of beauty and greatness India,
witnessing color of happiness and peace.
Nation come alive to enjoy the spirit
A celebration of color- holi!
An experience of content, harmony and delight.
Holika burns amidst merriment and mirth-
Evil overpowered by love and devotion.
A festival to commemorate ‘rash lila’-
an enduring love saga of Radha and Krishna.
Gulal – red, green, yellow and countless
A day’s canvas - a riot of colors.
Lively crowd running hither and thither,
Rainbow of colors, dashing from every nook and corner.
Disregarding their woe and despair fervent folks,
rejoicing at the marvel of colors.
A day filled with luster and gaiety,
A day to smear our dreams-
With a splash of vibrant frenzy colors.
Holi hai! A spring of unbounded fun and frolic …
– Jayati Chowdhury
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Chicken soup for the soul
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it, if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
This story is from the book 'Chicken soup for the soul'. I got hold of this book along with 'Chicken soup for the teenage soul' in a book fair where they were selling off surplus material. I've read both the books umpteen times, yet they never fail to feel my clasp whenever they fall in my sight.
Some chicken soup for my soul indeed.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Valentine's Day
Is a wonderful way
To make "I love you"
Easy to say.
History of Valentine:
As early as the fourth century B.C., the Romans engaged in an annual young man's rite to passage to the God Lupercus. The names of the teenage women were placed in a box and drawn at random by adolescent men; thus, a man was assigned a woman companion for the duration of the year, after which another lottery was staged. After eight hundred years of this cruel practice, the early church fathers sought to end this practice... They found an answer in Valentine, a bishop who had been martyred some two hundred years earlier.
According to church tradition St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor Claudius-II who had issued an edict forbidding marriage.
This was around when the heyday of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Learning declined, taxation increased, and trade slumped to a low, precarious level. And the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asian increased their pressure on the empire's boundaries. The empire was grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Thus more of capable men were required to be recruited as soldiers and officers. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. So to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage.
Valentine, a bishop , seeing the trauma of young lovers, met them in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. The emperor, impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the roman gods, to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully.
On February 24, 270, Valentine was executed.
"From your Valentine"
While Valentine was in prison awaiting his fate, he came in contact with his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. Through his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius' daughter. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.
Valentine thus become a Patron Saint, and spiritual overseer of an annual festival. The festival involved young Romans offering women they admired, and wished to court, handwritten greetings of affection on February 14. The greeting cards acquired St.Valentine's name.
The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world. One of the earliest card was sent in 1415 by Charles, duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London. The card is now preserved in the British Museum.
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