From sacred Seva to one-day Selfies: What are we becoming?

In recent decades, India has witnessed a surge in the observance of imported celebrations such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, Parents' Day, Valentine's Day, Friendship Day, Grandparents' Day, Daughter's Day, and Son's Day. These "days of love" have found prominence not just on social media but also in schools, offices, malls, and even homes. While the sentiments behind them may seem heartwarming, the shift raises a deeper question: Are we replacing a culture of lifelong reverence and duty with one-day performances driven by social validation and market forces?

- MAHADEEP SINGH JAMWAL

In Western societies, the concept of such days emerged from a vacuum created by fragmented family structures, emotional distances, and the rise of individualism. In these cultures, children often live independently and far from parents; the emotional connect tends to wane with time. Therefore, symbolic dates such as Mother's Day or Friendship Day serve as scheduled reminders to reconnect - often celebrated with cards, flowers, or social media posts. As one observes, "In fast-paced lives with fractured ties, one-day tributes help love arise."

However, in Indian culture, particularly within the Hindu worldview, relationships are not occasional expressions but eternal bonds that form the very fabric of Dharma. As proclaimed in the Taittiriya Upanishad: "Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava" - "Regard your mother and father as divine." This profound wisdom does not prescribe a ritual for a day; it instructs a way of life. Our relationships with parents, siblings, teachers, and even friends are based on duty (kartavya), gratitude, and daily acts of service (seva), not on calendar reminders.