As Rose Day marks the beginning of Valentine’s Week, cities and small towns across India are witnessing heartfelt, creative, and often quiet expressions of affection that go far beyond traditional gifting. From handmade roses to community-driven gestures, people are finding new ways to celebrate love, gratitude, and human connection.
Kolkata: Handcrafted Roses Keep Traditions Alive
In north Kolkata, local artisans continue the decades-old tradition of crafting paper and cloth roses by hand. These roses, sold in neighbourhood markets, remain popular among students and families who prefer meaningful, affordable gifts over imported flowers. Many artisans say Rose Day brings one of their highest seasonal incomes, helping sustain a fading craft.
Mumbai: Messages of Gratitude in Public Spaces
In Mumbai, volunteers from youth groups and NGOs marked Rose Day by distributing single roses with handwritten notes at railway stations and public parks. The messages focused on gratitude — thanking sanitation workers, bus drivers, and hospital staff. Organisers said the aim was to broaden the meaning of Rose Day beyond romance.
Jaipur: Sustainable Roses Gain Popularity
Florists in Jaipur reported a steady rise in demand for eco-friendly alternatives, including seed-infused paper roses and potted rose plants. Customers, particularly young professionals, said they preferred gifts that last longer and align with environmental values. Several stores also offered plant-return schemes to encourage reuse.
Bengaluru: Tech Meets Emotion
In Bengaluru, startups and college students blended technology with tradition. Some used QR-coded roses linking to digital letters, photo albums, or voice notes. Cafes across the city also hosted “write-a-note” corners where customers could attach personal messages to shared rose boards, creating a collective display of stories.
Lucknow: Poetry and Roses in Old City Lanes
The old neighbourhoods of Lucknow saw informal gatherings where poets and students exchanged roses along with short Urdu and Hindi verses. Bookstores and tea stalls hosted small evening readings, reviving the city’s long association with poetry and romantic expression.
Rural Maharashtra: Roses as Symbols of Respect
In parts of rural Maharashtra, schoolchildren distributed roses to teachers, elders, and local health workers. Teachers involved in the initiative said the activity was designed to teach children that Rose Day can also be about respect, kindness, and appreciation, not only romantic relationships.
A Changing Meaning of Rose Day
Across India, Rose Day is increasingly being viewed as a celebration of connection rather than consumption. While flower markets continue to see strong sales, many participants are choosing gestures rooted in creativity, sustainability, and social awareness.
As Valentine’s Week unfolds, these stories reflect how a simple rose — whether real, handmade, or symbolic — continues to carry meaning in diverse and evolving ways across the country.
Last Updated on: Saturday, February 7, 2026 8:11 pm by Digital Herald Team | Published by: Digital Herald Team on Saturday, February 7, 2026 8:11 pm | News Categories: Entertainment