MUMBAI: Love is in the air, and with Valentine’s Day round the corner couples are getting ready to make their February 14 an amazing experience. V-Day celebrations have become a culture worldwide. The day, according to many, is not just about couples, it has everything to do with love that can be for your mother, sister, father, brother or friend. Celebrities share when was the first time they came to know about the occasion, and the significance of the day in their lives. They also talk about how they are planning to make the most of Valentine’s Day this year: 

Somy Ali- It was probably around when I was a teenager when I heard about Valentine's. One of the more interesting Valentine's Day facts is that two people in history have the name, St. Valentine. That is the main reason we celebrate St. Valentine's day, which is referred to as St. Valentine of Rome. While the history isn't perfect, some accounts show him as a Roman priest and physician that was martyred around 270 AD because he would not renounce his faith. Essentially two people named Valentine were executed by the Roman Empire. So, it was quite a dark day historically. This day is an economical boost and nothing else. It’s tacky and ridiculous. We do not need a day to celebrate someone we love and respect, whether it is intimate or familial. I do not believe in any of these specific days, thus for me it will be a typical workday. Spending that day or any other day working with victims is the best celebration of simply existing 365 days a year.

Rahul Sharma- During my childhood days I remember I wanted to do something for my first girlfriend. I bought some flowers and a teddy bear for her. I am calling it stupidity as it was very cute and kiddish now when I think about it. I don't think there should be any particular day for love, you can celebrate it every day. The good thing is that you can express your feelings not particularly for your partner but all your loved ones. It’s good that we made one day to celebrate love and make it feel special. Otherwise, I believe 365 days you should love someone, make that person feel cared. You can make beautiful memories on this day. This Valentine’s Day, I would be vacationing at a romantic destination with my wife, Neha. Love is rare and if you have loved ones in your life, then you are lucky. I didn't celebrate Valentine’s Day for a long time as I was not living with my family, but now that I am married, I will celebrate it with my wife.

Harjinder Singh- I was in school when my classmates would do silly things on Valentine’s Day. Love should be everlasting, celebrated every day. Nevertheless, it’s important to have special occasions wherein you make your loved ones feel extra special. I don’t mean any grand gestures but just earnest wishing on Valentine’s Day can really make someone’s day. One should make it a point to tell their partners/friends/family/lover/child that they love them and how thankful they are to have them by their side. I believe such things are a reminder to the self, to put in effort for the ones we care for.  I won’t be doing anything elaborate on V-day. Just the usual but I’ll make it a point to tell my loved ones what they mean to me. That’s it.

Tanya Hope-I guess it’s a happy day when you’re dating someone or you’re in love with someone. You can do fun things for each other like buying presents and go out on dates and things like that. But no, I don’t remember ever really celebrating it as such. No real significance for me. I find my career much more fulfilling than dating these days. Haven’t really ever met anyone I would want to spend Valentine’s Day with. Do people even date monogamously nowadays? I really don’t know how it works these days. My mum is my forever Valentine. I honestly believe she’s my soul mate.

Pragati Mehra- I heard about Valentine’s Day way back in school, must have been when I was in class 8. The day actually does not mean much. The day celebrates romantic love; I am single so I won’t know much. But when I was dating too, I don't remember doing anything special on February 14. Though it’s a day for romantic love, it has now been tweaked thanks to all gimmicks. I feel it’s just another day to celebrate. Come to think of it, why do we need a particular day to celebrate love, romantic or platonic? My Valentine this year is the ‘set of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’.

Mitu- I heard of Valentine's Day in college via Archie s cards and loved the concept. I celebrate it in my own way with people I love. It's another reminder of life to be loved and lived. My parents had decided to get married around valentines over 50 years ago. He proposed a few days before, so at our house, Valentine was celebrated before Valentine s day came into being. For me, my daughter.. my lifetime is my Valentine ! After her, I have realised there is no purer love than a daughter's love for her mother. This Valentine, I plan to take my family out

Charrul Malik- I think every day is valentine's day and you can celebrate it with your family. I don't know why only 14th Feb is so special that people go crazy. I feel that we should celebrate valentine's with ourselves also as self-love, because if we are fit mentally then we are physically fit as well. We should pamper ourselves and this valentine I am going to take out time for myself. I will go for a nice spa, body massage or something to show love towards me. I think you can cook food because if you love somebody than you can prepare food. These days there are ready made things so you can cook, sing a song, write a nice poem and be little romantic