&nbsp;

By Jennifer Lavers &amp;&nbsp;Fiona<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fiona-kerslake-416927" rel="author"> </a>Kerslake*

Valentine&rsquo;s Day means saying it with flowers. Last year Australians imported more than 5.22 million rose stems between February 1 and 14, mostly from Kenya. Assuming typical bouquets of 24 roses, that&rsquo;s 217,500 bouquets sold in two weeks.

The problem is that our pursuit of goodwill and affection towards humanity through the giving of cut flowers is hurting the number-one lady in all of our lives: Mother Nature. If those 217,500 bouquets were each wrapped in 75cm of plastic cellophane, that adds up to more than 163km of plastic wrapping used in a two-week period &ndash; just for roses, just in Australia.

But facts about cellophane probably won&rsquo;t win over your sweetheart. So with Valentine&rsquo;s Day just around the corner, let&rsquo;s consider making smarter, more sustainable flower purchases.

Petal power

In Australia alone, there are more than 900 flower farms intensively cultivating 4,470 hectares in order to supply almost 2,000 florists. However, the majority of cut flowers sold in Australia actually originate overseas, with imports from Ecuador alone valued at A$1.9 million in 2015. If you&rsquo;re asking yourself &ldquo;why are delicate flowers shipped halfway around the world?&rdquo; this is a great question.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/205445/original/file-20180208-180826-w5hiex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/205445/original/file-20180208-180826-w5hiex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" /></a>

<figcaption>For a sustainable take on the floral Valentine, try a banksia bouquet. <a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ejorpin/16973929135/in/photolist-rRVPLB-6fBVXG-7A6Rhv-y2Ljcf-eemL4f-eeg37p-D19rp">Emily Orpin/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

Countries near the Equator, like Ecuador, benefit from good growing conditions, including 12 hours of daylight all year round. In these regions, the contribution of the flower industry to the economy of small or less developed countries is often significant.

In eastern Africa, for example, flowers account for more than 10% of total exports, second only to tea.

Lower wages in countries like Ecuador and Kenya also contribute to the economics of flying cut flowers around the world. Unfortunately, this often comes at a cost for local growers and pickers, who experience poor working conditions.

The thorny carbon issue

In the United States, the roughly 100 million roses grown, shipped and purchased on a typical Valentine&rsquo;s Day produce some 9,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, from field to florist.

But, as with most things in our complex and busy world, the question of a flower&rsquo;s carbon footprint isn&rsquo;t as straightforward as it might seem. The Netherlands is one of the world&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380546520_Kargbo%20et%20al.pdf">biggest exporters of cut flowers</a>, where the majority are grown in heated or refrigerated green houses.

Maintaining the controlled environmental conditions inside these buildings requires artificial light, heat and cooling, so each rose grown in The Netherlands contributes an average of around 2.91kg of CO₂ to the atmosphere. In contrast, a single rose grown on a farm in Kenya contributes only 0.5kg.

This is largely because Kenyan hot houses do not use artificial heating or lighting, and most farm workers <a href="https://www.amystewart.com/books/flower-confidential/">walk or cycle to work</a>. As a result, flowers grown in tropical regions are sometimes considered low-carbon (of course, this doesn&rsquo;t always factor in international transport).

Pesky pesticides

As flowers are not an edible crop, they are typically exempt from regulations on pesticide use. As a result, the cut flower industry is one of the biggest consumers of pesticides <a href="http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380546520_Kargbo%20et%20al.pdf">worldwide</a>.

In Kenya and other countries, chemicals such as methyl bromide (and others that are banned in countries like the US) are regularly imported in significant quantities by flower growers for pest control.

Worryingly, methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance. In some cases, run-off of these chemicals from growing fields adjacent to water bodies, such as Kenya&rsquo;s Lake Naivasha, has resulted in the collapse of fish stocks that are crucial to local communities.

So what can you do?

We don&rsquo;t want to be responsible for a downturn in expressions of love (or a corresponding uptick in conflict), and the good news is that there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to show your devotion.

The best option is to grow your own flowers to give as gifts. You can also give a living plant that can grow in your garden for years to come, reminding you of that special person and day. This is a rule in both of our households, and one our husbands are happy to accommodate &ndash; our gardens have never looked so good!

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/205446/original/file-20180208-180844-1nyczte.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/205446/original/file-20180208-180844-1nyczte.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" /></a>

<figcaption>
Anthurium aren&rsquo;t Australian natives but their pretty heart-shaped flowers make them a perfect living Valentine. <a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jcapaldi/9084553309/">Jim, the Photographer/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a>

&nbsp;
</figcaption>
</figure>

If growing or giving living plants isn&rsquo;t an option, go for locally grown organic flowers, as this means fewer &ldquo;flower miles&rdquo;. Native species or hardy breeds like lilies and birds of paradise require fewer resources and survive for longer in transport, meaning there&rsquo;s less wastage.

If you decide to buy imported flowers, look for Green Labels like FairTrade and MPS Florimark indicating that suppliers are members of regulatory schemes.

It&rsquo;s also worth asking (or insisting) that your local florist switch from plastic cellophane wrapping to butcher&rsquo;s paper (or similar).

To get you on your way, here are some sustainable flower growers in different corners of the globe:

Australia:

<ul>
	<li>
	<a href="http://www.lindseymyra.com/flower-farm/">The </a>Little<a href="http://www.lindseymyra.com/flower-farm/"> </a>Flower<a href="http://www.lindseymyra.com/flower-farm/"> </a>Farm (Melbourne)
	</li>
	<li>
	Organically certified flowers from Byron Bay, so pure they&rsquo;re actually sold as an edible product
	</li>
	<li>
	Give a (living) gift that keeps on giving for months or years to come, from companies such as Growing<a href="https://growinggifts.com.au/"> </a>Gifts
	</li>
</ul>

Europe &amp; the Americas:

<ul>
	<li>
	Florverde<a href="http://www.florverde.org/"> </a>Sustainable<a href="http://www.florverde.org/"> </a>Flowers (based in Colombia) provide social programs for their workers and implement a range of environmental standards, including rainwater collection and air pollution filters. Florverde are a major exporter to Europe, so look for their label in this region
	</li>
	<li>
	For 15 years, Organic<a href="https://www.organicbouquet.com/"> </a>Bouquet (based in Florida) has helped to convert more than 8,000ha of land to organic and sustainable horticulture
	</li>
	<li>
	<a href="https://ecostems.ca/green-cred">Eco</a>-stems<a href="https://ecostems.ca/green-cred"> </a>Flower<a href="https://ecostems.ca/green-cred"> </a>Shop (based in Toronto) doesn&rsquo;t just pride themselves in sustainable flower supply, but takes things a whole lot further. All furniture and fixtures are reclaimed/recycled in store, they only use 100% energy efficient lighting, waste water is collected and re-used, delivery vehicles are hybrid, etc. These guys are definitely going the extra mile!
	</li>
</ul>

Fiona<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fiona-kerslake-416927" rel="author"> </a>Kerslake is Research Fellow in viticulture and fermentation, University of Tasmania

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sustainable-shopping-your-guilt-free-guide-to-flowers-this-valentines-day-91387">original article</a>.

You can also give a living plant that can grow in your garden for years to come, reminding you of that special person and day.

By Jennifer Lavers & Fiona Kerslake* Valentine’s Day means saying it with flowers. Last year Australians imported more than 5.22 million rose stems between February 1 and 14, mostly from Kenya. Assuming typical bouquets of 24 roses, that’s 217,500 bouquets sold in two weeks. The problem is that our pursuit of goodwill and affection towards humanity through the giving of cut flowers is hurting the number-one lady in all of our lives: Mother Nature. If those 217,500 bouquets were each wrapped in 75cm of plastic cellophane, that adds up to more than 163km of plastic wrapping used in a two-week period – just for roses, just in Australia. But facts about cellophane probably won’t win over your sweetheart. So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, let’s consider making smarter, more sustainable flower purchases. Petal power In Australia alone, there are more than 900 flower farms intensively cultivating 4,470 hectares in order to supply almost 2,000 florists. However, the majority of cut flowers sold in Australia actually originate overseas, with imports from Ecuador alone valued at A$1.9 million in 2015. If you’re asking yourself “why are delicate flowers shipped halfway around the world?” this is a great question. For a sustainable take on the floral Valentine, try a banksia bouquet. Emily Orpin/Flickr, CC BY-NC Countries near the Equator, like Ecuador, benefit from good growing conditions, including 12 hours of daylight all year round. In these regions, the contribution of the flower industry to the economy of small or less developed countries is often significant. In eastern Africa, for example, flowers account for more than 10% of total exports, second only to tea. Lower wages in countries like Ecuador and Kenya also contribute to the economics of flying cut flowers around the world. Unfortunately, this often comes at a cost for local growers and pickers, who experience poor working conditions. The thorny carbon issue In the United States, the roughly 100 million roses grown, shipped and purchased on a typical Valentine’s Day produce some 9,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, from field to florist. But, as with most things in our complex and busy world, the question of a flower’s carbon footprint isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. The Netherlands is one of the world’s biggest exporters of cut flowers, where the majority are grown in heated or refrigerated green houses. Maintaining the controlled environmental conditions inside these buildings requires artificial light, heat and cooling, so each rose grown in The Netherlands contributes an average of around 2.91kg of CO₂ to the atmosphere. In contrast, a single rose grown on a farm in Kenya contributes only 0.5kg. This is largely because Kenyan hot houses do not use artificial heating or lighting, and most farm workers walk or cycle to work. As a result, flowers grown in tropical regions are sometimes considered low-carbon (of course, this doesn’t always factor in international transport). Pesky pesticides As flowers are not an edible crop, they are typically exempt from regulations on pesticide use. As a result, the cut flower industry is one of the biggest consumers of pesticides worldwide. In Kenya and other countries, chemicals such as methyl bromide (and others that are banned in countries like the US) are regularly imported in significant quantities by flower growers for pest control. Worryingly, methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance. In some cases, run-off of these chemicals from growing fields adjacent to water bodies, such as Kenya’s Lake Naivasha, has resulted in the collapse of fish stocks that are crucial to local communities. So what can you do? We don’t want to be responsible for a downturn in expressions of love (or a corresponding uptick in conflict), and the good news is that there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to show your devotion. The best option is to grow your own flowers to give as gifts. You can also give a living plant that can grow in your garden for years to come, reminding you of that special person and day. This is a rule in both of our households, and one our husbands are happy to accommodate – our gardens have never looked so good! Anthurium aren’t Australian natives but their pretty heart-shaped flowers make them a perfect living Valentine. Jim, the Photographer/Flickr, CC BY If growing or giving living plants isn’t an option, go for locally grown organic flowers, as this means fewer “flower miles”. Native species or hardy breeds like lilies and birds of paradise require fewer resources and survive for longer in transport, meaning there’s less wastage. If you decide to buy imported flowers, look for Green Labels like FairTrade and MPS Florimark indicating that suppliers are members of regulatory schemes. It’s also worth asking (or insisting) that your local florist switch from plastic cellophane wrapping to butcher’s paper (or similar). To get you on your way, here are some sustainable flower growers in different corners of the globe: Australia: The Little Flower Farm (Melbourne) Organically certified flowers from Byron Bay, so pure they’re actually sold as an edible product Give a (living) gift that keeps on giving for months or years to come, from companies such as Growing Gifts Europe & the Americas: Florverde Sustainable Flowers (based in Colombia) provide social programs for their workers and implement a range of environmental standards, including rainwater collection and air pollution filters. Florverde are a major exporter to Europe, so look for their label in this region For 15 years, Organic Bouquet (based in Florida) has helped to convert more than 8,000ha of land to organic and sustainable horticulture Eco-stems Flower Shop (based in Toronto) doesn’t just pride themselves in sustainable flower supply, but takes things a whole lot further. All furniture and fixtures are reclaimed/recycled in store, they only use 100% energy efficient lighting, waste water is collected and re-used, delivery vehicles are hybrid, etc. These guys are definitely going the extra mile! Fiona Kerslake is Research Fellow in viticulture and fermentation, University of Tasmania This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Opinion: On Valentine's Day, what flowers to gift your valentine

For those looking for an alternative to the cliche Valentine`s Day `dinner date`, a short romantic getaway can be a great option. A travel and restaurant website company, TripAdvisor, has shared the romantic roll call of its Travellers` Choice awards for hotels - perfect for spending some quality time with your partner on a day that celebrates love.

So pack your bags for a great date before you hit the road! Here are the top five hotels for a romantic&nbsp;getaway: 
 
The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Rajasthan, Sawai Madhopur District, Rajasthan:&nbsp;One of the most luxurious jungle resorts, Oberoi Vanyavilas is picture-perfect with a beautiful watercourse and sun-kissed decks. &nbsp;Besides the quintessential safari, couples can enjoy the spectacular views, delicious food and stroll around the torch-lit pathways in the evenings.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/oberoi%20vanyavilas-20180212064720.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The Oberoi Vanyavilas (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, Udaipur, Rajasthan: Built in 1746, this four-acre magnificent palace showcases marble work and majestic architecture. Located in the midst of Lake Pichola, couples can enjoy breathtaking views of the City Palace and Aravalli Hills while devouring delectable local cuisine.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/ta%20lak%20palace%20udaipur-20180212064901.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Chanoud Garh, Rajasthan, Pali, Rajasthan: Chanoud Garh is a splendid 300-year-old property from where guests will leave with unforgettable memories. This delightful property provides a fascinating insight into the daily lives of the villagers and offers guests an experience of the quaint village life along with luxury.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/chanoud%20garh-20180212065031.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Chanoud Garh, Rajasthan, Pali (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Hotel Pleasant Haveli, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: Situated in the heart of &quot;Golden City of the Thar Desert&quot;, Pleasant Haveli is at a distance of 500 meters from Jaisalmer Fort. Couples can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets which offers a magnificent view over the whole city and the fort.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/hotel%20pleasant%20haveli%20jaisalmer%2001-20180212065221.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Hotel Pleasant Haveli, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Old Harbour Hotel, Kerala, Kochi, Kerela: One of the oldest properties in Kerala, the Old Harbour is a beautifully restored and very well-maintained hotel. Couples can enjoy the soothing sounds of sitar players on the restaurant terrace and the beautiful garden in the heart of Fort Kochi.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/old%20harbour%20day-20180212065359.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Old Harbour Hotel, Kerala (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

For those looking for an alternative to the cliche Valentine`s Day `dinner date`, a short romantic getaway can be a great option

For those looking for an alternative to the cliche Valentine`s Day `dinner date`, a short romantic getaway can be a great option. A travel and restaurant website company, TripAdvisor, has shared the romantic roll call of its Travellers` Choice awards for hotels - perfect for spending some quality time with your partner on a day that celebrates love. So pack your bags for a great date before you hit the road! Here are the top five hotels for a romantic getaway: The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Rajasthan, Sawai Madhopur District, Rajasthan: One of the most luxurious jungle resorts, Oberoi Vanyavilas is picture-perfect with a beautiful watercourse and sun-kissed decks. Besides the quintessential safari, couples can enjoy the spectacular views, delicious food and stroll around the torch-lit pathways in the evenings. The Oberoi Vanyavilas (Others) × Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, Udaipur, Rajasthan: Built in 1746, this four-acre magnificent palace showcases marble work and majestic architecture. Located in the midst of Lake Pichola, couples can enjoy breathtaking views of the City Palace and Aravalli Hills while devouring delectable local cuisine. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur (Others) × Chanoud Garh, Rajasthan, Pali, Rajasthan: Chanoud Garh is a splendid 300-year-old property from where guests will leave with unforgettable memories. This delightful property provides a fascinating insight into the daily lives of the villagers and offers guests an experience of the quaint village life along with luxury. Chanoud Garh, Rajasthan, Pali (Others) × Hotel Pleasant Haveli, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: Situated in the heart of "Golden City of the Thar Desert", Pleasant Haveli is at a distance of 500 meters from Jaisalmer Fort. Couples can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets which offers a magnificent view over the whole city and the fort. Hotel Pleasant Haveli, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer (Others) × Old Harbour Hotel, Kerala, Kochi, Kerela: One of the oldest properties in Kerala, the Old Harbour is a beautifully restored and very well-maintained hotel. Couples can enjoy the soothing sounds of sitar players on the restaurant terrace and the beautiful garden in the heart of Fort Kochi. Old Harbour Hotel, Kerala (Others) ×

Udaipur, Ranthambore, Kochi: 5 getaways to take your partner to this Valentine's Day

It&#39;s the perfect song to define the giddy feelings of being in love. Pehla Nasha from Aamir Khan&#39;s Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander may have released two decades back, but the song remains a favourite till date for people.&nbsp; 
 
Since the trend of recreating old Bollywood songs for present generations refuses to die down, makers of Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz have decided to recreate the iconic track for the film which is set to release two days after Valentine&#39;s Day.&nbsp; 
 
We should be fair, here. It is not a bad recreation of the song. Singers Jubin Nautiyal and Palak Muchhal sing the breezy lines to perfection, setting the mood just right for the upcoming Valentine&#39;s Day. The original song was sung by Sadhna Sargam and Udit Narayan and composed by Jatin-Lalit. The reprised version has been created by&nbsp;Anshuman Mukherjee.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iaSDB8ReYUU" width="560"></iframe> 
 
Directed by Onir, Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz has National Award winning actress Geetanjali Thapa pairing up with debutant &nbsp;Zain Khan Durrani for a very contemporary love story of an RJ and a Meme artist. The film will be releasing in theatres on 16th February.

&nbsp;

The new version has been sung by Jubin Nautiyal and Palak Muchhal for Onir's Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz.

It's the perfect song to define the giddy feelings of being in love. Pehla Nasha from Aamir Khan's Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander may have released two decades back, but the song remains a favourite till date for people. Since the trend of recreating old Bollywood songs for present generations refuses to die down, makers of Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz have decided to recreate the iconic track for the film which is set to release two days after Valentine's Day. We should be fair, here. It is not a bad recreation of the song. Singers Jubin Nautiyal and Palak Muchhal sing the breezy lines to perfection, setting the mood just right for the upcoming Valentine's Day. The original song was sung by Sadhna Sargam and Udit Narayan and composed by Jatin-Lalit. The reprised version has been created by Anshuman Mukherjee. Directed by Onir, Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz has National Award winning actress Geetanjali Thapa pairing up with debutant Zain Khan Durrani for a very contemporary love story of an RJ and a Meme artist. The film will be releasing in theatres on 16th February.

This recreated version of Pehla Nasha song will set your mood for Valentine's Day

Pakistan has banned events marking Valentine&#39;s Day, and media coverage of them, for the second year in a row after a court ruled the holiday un-Islamic.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued an advisory on Wednesday warning television and radio stations against any Valentine&#39;s Day celebrations.

&quot;No event shall be held at the official level or at any public place,&quot; Pemra said.

The ban was introduced by Islamabad High Court last year after a petition by a citizen who said the Feb. 14 holiday was a cultural import from the West and &quot;against the teachings of Islam&quot;.

More than 60 percent of the population of the Muslim-majority nation is aged under 30. Many young people and commercial establishments have in recent years embraced Valentine&#39;s Day hearts, flowers and chocolates.

But the country of 208 million has also seen a wave of ultra-religious political activism that has brought a backlash against such celebrations, which some call immoral.

Parties including the Taliban-linked Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam parties have in recent years held rallies to denounce the holiday.

&quot;We&#39;re Muslims. Our religion forbids things like Valentine&#39;s Day,&quot; said Taufeeq Leghari, who was waiting for transport close to a florist&#39;s stall in Rawalpindi, adjacent to Islamabad.

Flower seller Salman Mahmod took a different view.&quot;I don&#39;t know what danger these Islamists would face if I earn a little more from selling flowers and someone can have a chance to celebrate something,&quot; he said.

Young people are not too afraid of the ban.

&quot;I will celebrate,&quot; said 21-year-old university student Abid Ansari in Islamabad. &quot;This is my choice.&quot;

Young people are not too afraid of the ban

Pakistan has banned events marking Valentine's Day, and media coverage of them, for the second year in a row after a court ruled the holiday un-Islamic. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued an advisory on Wednesday warning television and radio stations against any Valentine's Day celebrations. "No event shall be held at the official level or at any public place," Pemra said. The ban was introduced by Islamabad High Court last year after a petition by a citizen who said the Feb. 14 holiday was a cultural import from the West and "against the teachings of Islam". More than 60 percent of the population of the Muslim-majority nation is aged under 30. Many young people and commercial establishments have in recent years embraced Valentine's Day hearts, flowers and chocolates. But the country of 208 million has also seen a wave of ultra-religious political activism that has brought a backlash against such celebrations, which some call immoral. Parties including the Taliban-linked Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam parties have in recent years held rallies to denounce the holiday. "We're Muslims. Our religion forbids things like Valentine's Day," said Taufeeq Leghari, who was waiting for transport close to a florist's stall in Rawalpindi, adjacent to Islamabad. Flower seller Salman Mahmod took a different view."I don't know what danger these Islamists would face if I earn a little more from selling flowers and someone can have a chance to celebrate something," he said. Young people are not too afraid of the ban. "I will celebrate," said 21-year-old university student Abid Ansari in Islamabad. "This is my choice."

Love is in the air, but not on airwaves as Pakistan bans Valentine's Day

If you&rsquo;d asked someone to be your Valentine before the 14th century, they&rsquo;d probably have looked at you as if you were mad. And checked you weren&rsquo;t holding an axe.

There were two saints by the name of Valentine who were venerated on February 14 during the Middle Ages. Both Valentines were supposedly Christian priests who fell foul of Roman officials keen on decapitation. But there&rsquo;s little in the early legends of either saint to suggest a highly successful posthumous career as assistant Cupid. So I wouldn&rsquo;t go to them for tips.

It was probably Geoffrey Chaucer who got the Valentine&rsquo;s ball rolling. In his Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer imagined the goddess Nature pairing off all the birds for the year to come on &ldquo;Seint Valentynes day&rdquo;.

First up is the queenly eagle. She&rsquo;s wooed at great length by noble birds-of-prey, much to the annoyance of the ducks and cuckoos and other low-ranking birds (eager to get on with getting it on):

<blockquote>
&lsquo;Come on!&rsquo; they cried, &lsquo;Alas, you us offend! 
When will your cursed pleading have an end?&rsquo;
</blockquote>

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110848/original/image-20160209-12577-1p5xyso.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption>It&rsquo;s lurve. Rick Carey/Shutterstock</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

Amid impatient squawks rivalling our very own Prime Minister&rsquo;s Questions (&ldquo;Kek kek! kokkow! quek quek!&rdquo;), the she-eagle can&rsquo;t decide which suitor most deserves her love. So she resolves to keep &rsquo;em keen till the following year.

But why on earth did Chaucer pick a date in February for his avian assembly? England&rsquo;s birds aren&rsquo;t exactly in full voice at this time of year, even with global warming. Perhaps he was thinking of an obscure St Valentine celebrated in Genoa in the month of May. But the Valentines f&ecirc;ted on February 14 were better-known, and that was the date that stuck. Of course, when it comes to matters of the heart, we can hardly expect reason to triumph.

Fiction to fact

Murky origins didn&rsquo;t matter for too long, however. By the turn of the 15th century, fictional lovebirds weren&rsquo;t the only ones singing their hearts out on Valentine&rsquo;s day.

According to its founding charter, a society known as the &ldquo;Court of Love&rdquo; was set up in France in 1400 as a distraction from a particularly nasty bout of plague. This curious document stipulates that every February 14: &ldquo;when the little birds resume their sweet song&rdquo; (sure about that, guys?), members should meet in Paris for a splendid supper. Male guests were to bring a love song of their own composition, to be judged by an all-female panel. More effort than Tinder demands, then. But if you want to make an effort&hellip;

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110636/original/image-20160208-2589-73fm2l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption>Detail of a 15th-century miniature depicting an allegorical court of love (Royal 16 F II, f. 1) British Library</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

There&rsquo;s no evidence that the Court of Love convened as often as planned (its charter provided for monthly meetings in addition to February 14 festivities). But nor does it seem to have been pure poetic fiction. Eventually totalling 950 or so, participants represented quite a cross-section of society, from the king of France to the petite bourgeoisie. Valentine&rsquo;s day romance was no longer just for the eagles.

Today&rsquo;s February 14 love-fest, then, is perhaps the result of a group of medieval men and women making life imitate art. If so, their mimicry wasn&rsquo;t necessarily na&iuml;ve. By staging the most poetic of avian courtship rituals, Chaucer&rsquo;s Parliament of Fowls prompts its audiences to ponder the differences between their &ldquo;artistic&rdquo; courtship and the birds&rsquo; &ldquo;natural&rdquo; one. Texts like this one helped medieval audiences understand their identities as the product of cultural artefacts. And in this regard they can still help us today.

Four medieval tips

<figure class="align-right "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110631/original/image-20160208-2637-wf8bv1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption>On this 14th-century coffret, a man surrenders his heart to Lady Love. <a class="source" href="http://www.metmuseum.org">The Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org)</a></figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

On a more practical note, medieval literature can be of assistance if you&rsquo;re yet to find a gift for a special someone this Valentine&rsquo;s day. Forget about flashy jewellery; here are some love tokens suitable for every budget:

<ul>
	<li>Looking to reignite that spark in your relationship? In his 12th-century Art of Courtly Love Andreas Capellanus suggests buying your partner a washbasin. Who needs expensive perfume when a good wash may do the trick?</li>
	<li>How about personalising some of your beloved&rsquo;s clothes? Add fasteners only you know how to undo and you&rsquo;ve got yourself an instant chastity belt. (See the 12th-century tales by Marie de France for examples of suitable garments.)</li>
	<li>Alternatively, upcycle one of your lover&rsquo;s old shirts by sewing strands of your hair into it. To judge by Alexander&rsquo;s reaction in the 12th-century romance of Clig&eacute;s by Chr&eacute;tien de Troyes, they&rsquo;ll never want to wear anything else. (Hand-wash only.)</li>
	<li>And if the above just don&rsquo;t seem heartfelt enough, you could always take a leaf out of Le Chastelain de Couci&rsquo;s book, who (according to his 13th-century biography) literally gave his heart to his lover. (Beware unwanted side effects.)</li>
</ul>

Top tip: provide a little literary and historical context with the above gifts and there&rsquo;s even a chance your Valentine won&rsquo;t look at you as if you&rsquo;re holding an axe.

&nbsp;

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/some-top-tips-for-valentines-day-from-medieval-lovers-54198" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="blank">original article</a>.

Forget about flashy jewellery; here are some love tokens suitable for every budget, culled from medieval literature.

If you’d asked someone to be your Valentine before the 14th century, they’d probably have looked at you as if you were mad. And checked you weren’t holding an axe. There were two saints by the name of Valentine who were venerated on February 14 during the Middle Ages. Both Valentines were supposedly Christian priests who fell foul of Roman officials keen on decapitation. But there’s little in the early legends of either saint to suggest a highly successful posthumous career as assistant Cupid. So I wouldn’t go to them for tips. It was probably Geoffrey Chaucer who got the Valentine’s ball rolling. In his Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer imagined the goddess Nature pairing off all the birds for the year to come on “Seint Valentynes day”. First up is the queenly eagle. She’s wooed at great length by noble birds-of-prey, much to the annoyance of the ducks and cuckoos and other low-ranking birds (eager to get on with getting it on): ‘Come on!’ they cried, ‘Alas, you us offend! When will your cursed pleading have an end?’ It’s lurve. Rick Carey/Shutterstock Amid impatient squawks rivalling our very own Prime Minister’s Questions (“Kek kek! kokkow! quek quek!”), the she-eagle can’t decide which suitor most deserves her love. So she resolves to keep ’em keen till the following year. But why on earth did Chaucer pick a date in February for his avian assembly? England’s birds aren’t exactly in full voice at this time of year, even with global warming. Perhaps he was thinking of an obscure St Valentine celebrated in Genoa in the month of May. But the Valentines fêted on February 14 were better-known, and that was the date that stuck. Of course, when it comes to matters of the heart, we can hardly expect reason to triumph. Fiction to fact Murky origins didn’t matter for too long, however. By the turn of the 15th century, fictional lovebirds weren’t the only ones singing their hearts out on Valentine’s day. According to its founding charter, a society known as the “Court of Love” was set up in France in 1400 as a distraction from a particularly nasty bout of plague. This curious document stipulates that every February 14: “when the little birds resume their sweet song” (sure about that, guys?), members should meet in Paris for a splendid supper. Male guests were to bring a love song of their own composition, to be judged by an all-female panel. More effort than Tinder demands, then. But if you want to make an effort… Detail of a 15th-century miniature depicting an allegorical court of love (Royal 16 F II, f. 1) British Library There’s no evidence that the Court of Love convened as often as planned (its charter provided for monthly meetings in addition to February 14 festivities). But nor does it seem to have been pure poetic fiction. Eventually totalling 950 or so, participants represented quite a cross-section of society, from the king of France to the petite bourgeoisie. Valentine’s day romance was no longer just for the eagles. Today’s February 14 love-fest, then, is perhaps the result of a group of medieval men and women making life imitate art. If so, their mimicry wasn’t necessarily naïve. By staging the most poetic of avian courtship rituals, Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls prompts its audiences to ponder the differences between their “artistic” courtship and the birds’ “natural” one. Texts like this one helped medieval audiences understand their identities as the product of cultural artefacts. And in this regard they can still help us today. Four medieval tips On this 14th-century coffret, a man surrenders his heart to Lady Love. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org) On a more practical note, medieval literature can be of assistance if you’re yet to find a gift for a special someone this Valentine’s day. Forget about flashy jewellery; here are some love tokens suitable for every budget: Looking to reignite that spark in your relationship? In his 12th-century Art of Courtly Love Andreas Capellanus suggests buying your partner a washbasin. Who needs expensive perfume when a good wash may do the trick? How about personalising some of your beloved’s clothes? Add fasteners only you know how to undo and you’ve got yourself an instant chastity belt. (See the 12th-century tales by Marie de France for examples of suitable garments.) Alternatively, upcycle one of your lover’s old shirts by sewing strands of your hair into it. To judge by Alexander’s reaction in the 12th-century romance of Cligés by Chrétien de Troyes, they’ll never want to wear anything else. (Hand-wash only.) And if the above just don’t seem heartfelt enough, you could always take a leaf out of Le Chastelain de Couci’s book, who (according to his 13th-century biography) literally gave his heart to his lover. (Beware unwanted side effects.) Top tip: provide a little literary and historical context with the above gifts and there’s even a chance your Valentine won’t look at you as if you’re holding an axe. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Opinion: Valentine's Day made special with a gift of Washbasin, Chastity belt, strands of hair

Surprisingly, David Beckham won&#39;t be attending one of the biggest clashes, Real Madrid vs PSG of Champions League which is scheduled for February 14 because he would go out for a date with his wife Victoria Beckham as it is Valentine&#39;s day too.

In a recent interview, he mentioned that &quot;I&#39;m planning on going to the second game of the league.&quot;

Beckham has connections with both the clubs as he had spent four years at the Bernabeu and spent five months at PSG before retiring.

The former England captain said to the French sports channel beinSPORTS, &quot;loved both clubs with so much passion.&quot;

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⚽ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsArena?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsArena</a> 
???? Beckham : &quot;Le PSG ou le Real Madrid ? J&#39;aime ces deux clubs avec autant de passion&quot; <a href="https://t.co/B0X1xryAR7">pic.twitter.com/B0X1xryAR7</a>
&mdash; beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) <a href="https://twitter.com/beinsports_FR/status/959890893758066688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&quot;It&#39;s too difficult to choose, I like both clubs with so much passion. I spent four superb years in Madrid,&quot; the former PSG star said.

&quot;I did not spend a lot of time at PSG. But clearly, winning the Championship was huge,&quot; he said.

I love this club with a passion. People, fans, they are incredible. Same thing for Real Madrid,&quot; the 42-year old said.

&quot;It&#39;s Valentine&#39;s Day. Take my wife to see a match that day, I do not think it works,&quot; the former Manchester United player revealed.

Though, he will not be present at Santiago-Bernabeu stadium but surely can see the live stream or the highlights.

David Beckham won't be attending Real Madrid vs PSG of Champions League match as he has other Valentine's plans with wife Victoria

Surprisingly, David Beckham won't be attending one of the biggest clashes, Real Madrid vs PSG of Champions League which is scheduled for February 14 because he would go out for a date with his wife Victoria Beckham as it is Valentine's day too. In a recent interview, he mentioned that "I'm planning on going to the second game of the league." Beckham has connections with both the clubs as he had spent four years at the Bernabeu and spent five months at PSG before retiring. The former England captain said to the French sports channel beinSPORTS, "loved both clubs with so much passion." ⚽ #ChampionsArena ???? Beckham : "Le PSG ou le Real Madrid ? J'aime ces deux clubs avec autant de passion" pic.twitter.com/B0X1xryAR7 — beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) February 3, 2018 × "It's too difficult to choose, I like both clubs with so much passion. I spent four superb years in Madrid," the former PSG star said. "I did not spend a lot of time at PSG. But clearly, winning the Championship was huge," he said. I love this club with a passion. People, fans, they are incredible. Same thing for Real Madrid," the 42-year old said. "It's Valentine's Day. Take my wife to see a match that day, I do not think it works," the former Manchester United player revealed. Though, he will not be present at Santiago-Bernabeu stadium but surely can see the live stream or the highlights.

Valentine's day foils David Beckham 'other' plans

You may have unconditional love for your partner, but you don&rsquo;t need to put all of that out on display to the world. And before you mistake us for an anti-PDA (Public Display of Affection) brigade, let us clear that out. We are neither intending to celebrate Valentine&rsquo;s Day by preaching healthy relationships nor we expect you to abstain yourself from expressing feelings to your partner in public. In fact, the idea here is to remind couples of tech etiquette, which is usually found missing in modern-day relationships. And what other day could be better than Valentine&rsquo;s Day to put together such dos and don&rsquo;ts?

1. We understand that you want to be up to date with what&rsquo;s happening in your partner&rsquo;s life, but it&rsquo;s not a good idea to snoop on his online activities.&nbsp; Because you have passwords to all his accounts, doesn&rsquo;t mean you should log in to them every now and then. Believe it or not, it could prove to be unhealthy for relationships in a long run.

2. No one is going to come and tell you that you need to cut down on your lovey-dovey posts and mushy pictures on social networks. It&rsquo;s you who need to understand that everything between a couple doesn&rsquo;t need to go out. Of course, it&rsquo;s your account and you are free to use it the way you want, but don&rsquo;t forget, it&rsquo;s a public platform too. Do you really want to take people to your bedroom?

3. A healthy sign of a successful relationship is the respect for each other&rsquo;s personal space. You must be an understanding partner and giving your better half the much-needed space in life. But have you ever thought about digital space? With most of us spending a lot of time online, it&rsquo;s imperative to understand that the space in digital life matters as much as the space in real life. 
 
For instance, you don&rsquo;t need to know all online activities of your partner on social networks. A lot of inside jokes go into conversations with friends and colleagues on social platforms and you may not understand all of them. So, it&rsquo;s better that you don&rsquo;t bother yourself and annoy your partner with unnecessary questions.

4. PDA on social networks is fine, but its overdose isn&rsquo;t. A carefree person like you might not mind people talking about you getting into excessive PDA, but make sure that you are not spamming their news feeds with things not of their interest. So, it&rsquo;s better that you keep an eye on when you go overboard with things on public platforms. In fact, it makes more sense to have personal conversations in a private space. And for that matter, you can keep them limited to instant messengers. After all, that is what messengers are for. 
 
5. No matter how vindictive you feel, we suggest that you don&rsquo;t send messages to your ex or your partner&rsquo;s ex. You have no idea what all it could snowball into and how badly it could backfire you. &nbsp; 
 
6. We don&rsquo;t encourage your habit of peeping into your partner&rsquo;s screen. You are a companion and not an FBI agent assigned with a task to keep a track of someone&rsquo;s movements. Your partner might not object to it explicitly, but it could be uncomfortable for the other person to be monitored all the time. Or what if she is planning a surprise for you? We are sure you wouldn&rsquo;t want it to be ruined. 
 
7. Most importantly, if you can&rsquo;t keep yourself from going overboard with your love life on social media, make sure you share the post breakup scenario too. You can&rsquo;t leave your audience hanging. After showing us the entire movie, you can&rsquo;t keep us away from the climax. So isn&rsquo;t it better to be in control of your moves from the beginning?

(WION)

&nbsp;

A list of dos and don'ts for you to keep the tech spices in your relationship in check

You may have unconditional love for your partner, but you don’t need to put all of that out on display to the world. And before you mistake us for an anti-PDA (Public Display of Affection) brigade, let us clear that out. We are neither intending to celebrate Valentine’s Day by preaching healthy relationships nor we expect you to abstain yourself from expressing feelings to your partner in public. In fact, the idea here is to remind couples of tech etiquette, which is usually found missing in modern-day relationships. And what other day could be better than Valentine’s Day to put together such dos and don’ts? 1. We understand that you want to be up to date with what’s happening in your partner’s life, but it’s not a good idea to snoop on his online activities. Because you have passwords to all his accounts, doesn’t mean you should log in to them every now and then. Believe it or not, it could prove to be unhealthy for relationships in a long run. 2. No one is going to come and tell you that you need to cut down on your lovey-dovey posts and mushy pictures on social networks. It’s you who need to understand that everything between a couple doesn’t need to go out. Of course, it’s your account and you are free to use it the way you want, but don’t forget, it’s a public platform too. Do you really want to take people to your bedroom? 3. A healthy sign of a successful relationship is the respect for each other’s personal space. You must be an understanding partner and giving your better half the much-needed space in life. But have you ever thought about digital space? With most of us spending a lot of time online, it’s imperative to understand that the space in digital life matters as much as the space in real life. For instance, you don’t need to know all online activities of your partner on social networks. A lot of inside jokes go into conversations with friends and colleagues on social platforms and you may not understand all of them. So, it’s better that you don’t bother yourself and annoy your partner with unnecessary questions. 4. PDA on social networks is fine, but its overdose isn’t. A carefree person like you might not mind people talking about you getting into excessive PDA, but make sure that you are not spamming their news feeds with things not of their interest. So, it’s better that you keep an eye on when you go overboard with things on public platforms. In fact, it makes more sense to have personal conversations in a private space. And for that matter, you can keep them limited to instant messengers. After all, that is what messengers are for. 5. No matter how vindictive you feel, we suggest that you don’t send messages to your ex or your partner’s ex. You have no idea what all it could snowball into and how badly it could backfire you. 6. We don’t encourage your habit of peeping into your partner’s screen. You are a companion and not an FBI agent assigned with a task to keep a track of someone’s movements. Your partner might not object to it explicitly, but it could be uncomfortable for the other person to be monitored all the time. Or what if she is planning a surprise for you? We are sure you wouldn’t want it to be ruined. 7. Most importantly, if you can’t keep yourself from going overboard with your love life on social media, make sure you share the post breakup scenario too. You can’t leave your audience hanging. After showing us the entire movie, you can’t keep us away from the climax. So isn’t it better to be in control of your moves from the beginning? (WION)

Valentine's Day: Tech etiquette for modern-day relationships

Indonesian Muslim school students staged a protest against Valentine&#39;s Day on Monday, denouncing what they said was a Western celebration that encourages casual sex.

While teenagers in many countries treat the day as an occasion to declare love for their classmates, in the Indonesian city of Surabaya it was a different story as students from one school held a noisy demonstration.

&quot;Say no to Valentine!&quot; chanted the students, who were aged between 13 and 15 and included many girls wearing headscarves.

It was the latest expression of anger at Valentine&#39;s Day in the world&#39;s most populous Muslim-majority country, where Islamic clerics and some pious Muslims typically use the occasion to target what they see as Western decadence.

&quot;This protest was organised as we have seen on television that Valentine&#39;s Day tends to be associated with free sex,&quot; said Pandu Satria, organiser of the demonstration that was attended by scores of students. &quot;That makes us afraid.&quot;

Ida Indahwati Waliulu, headmaster of the school which is run by an Islamic organisation, added: &quot;There is a certain pride about this positive action carried out by the students.&quot;

Several cities across the country also banned people from celebrating the occasion.

In neighbouring Malaysia, which is also a Muslim-majority country, a group called The National Muslim Youth Association urged females to avoid using emoticons and an excessive amount of fragrance in a pre-Valentine&#39;s Day message.

The group also set out guidelines about how people could reject the annual celebration of romance by making anti-Valentine posters and not wearing Valentine-themed outfits.

Despite some objections, many in Indonesia and Malaysia mark the occasion, particularly in major cities where cards and chocolates are widely available.&nbsp;

In 2015, Indonesia&#39;s Islamic clerical body threatened to issue a fatwa against the sale of condoms following reports they were being sold together with chocolate to mark Valentine&#39;s Day.

(AFP)

'Say no to Valentine!' chanted the students, who said this was a Western celebration that encourages casual sex

Indonesian Muslim school students staged a protest against Valentine's Day on Monday, denouncing what they said was a Western celebration that encourages casual sex. While teenagers in many countries treat the day as an occasion to declare love for their classmates, in the Indonesian city of Surabaya it was a different story as students from one school held a noisy demonstration. "Say no to Valentine!" chanted the students, who were aged between 13 and 15 and included many girls wearing headscarves. It was the latest expression of anger at Valentine's Day in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, where Islamic clerics and some pious Muslims typically use the occasion to target what they see as Western decadence. "This protest was organised as we have seen on television that Valentine's Day tends to be associated with free sex," said Pandu Satria, organiser of the demonstration that was attended by scores of students. "That makes us afraid." Ida Indahwati Waliulu, headmaster of the school which is run by an Islamic organisation, added: "There is a certain pride about this positive action carried out by the students." Several cities across the country also banned people from celebrating the occasion. In neighbouring Malaysia, which is also a Muslim-majority country, a group called The National Muslim Youth Association urged females to avoid using emoticons and an excessive amount of fragrance in a pre-Valentine's Day message. The group also set out guidelines about how people could reject the annual celebration of romance by making anti-Valentine posters and not wearing Valentine-themed outfits. Despite some objections, many in Indonesia and Malaysia mark the occasion, particularly in major cities where cards and chocolates are widely available. In 2015, Indonesia's Islamic clerical body threatened to issue a fatwa against the sale of condoms following reports they were being sold together with chocolate to mark Valentine's Day. (AFP)

Indonesian school students protest Valentine's Day

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