Please allow me to submit a translation of Ilaben Trivedi’s letter in last week’s Gujarat Samachar. In modern times when newspapers are full of salacious, futile, traumatic sound and fury, this letter is a breath of fresh air. It boldly sublimates views about St. Valentine day celebrations.
Here is a translation for Asian Voice’s readers: On St Valentine’s day, an aged couple in a temple, strolled down hand in hand towards icon of deity. The old lady was holding an object in her hands which amused youthful worshippers. The old lady was oblivious to this scoffing, offered the object to the priest with some instructions. The curtain closed and when it reopened, a teddy bear was revealed near the icon of Sri Krishna. This teddy bear was holding a heart inscribed with the words “I Love you”.
Current views about lascivious, permissive, promiscuous love was given a body blow by frank minded old lady. The lady deserves fullest admiration and Ilaben deserves kudos for such remarkable observation, bringing it to notice of readers.
But such maturity comes after good, bad and ugly experiences of life. It also stresses the fact that God becomes personalised irrespective of icon which may be displayed in a temple.
Ramesh Jhalla
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