Valentine's day has been reduced to a marketing gimmick. Buying

In the realms of human love, there are few things more sacred than the expression of one’s deepest affection. Yet, in the passing ages, there has arisen a shadow that tarnishes the purest of emotions—a distortion born from the hands of commerce. The wise Shabana Azmi, a woman whose voice has often spoken with the power of truth, once declared, “Valentine's Day has been reduced to a marketing gimmick. Buying diamonds for your beloved has no appeal for me.” In these words, she casts light upon a truth that many have long forgotten: that love, in its most authentic form, cannot be bought with diamonds, nor can it be measured by the trappings of commercial celebration. It is a lesson that speaks to the core of human dignity, to the essence of what it means to love truly and without expectation.

To understand Azmi’s words, we must first consider the origins of Valentine’s Day. Once a day dedicated to the honoring of love itself, it has, over time, become a festival of consumerism. It is now a day when the bond between two souls is marked not by genuine connection but by the giving of material goods—flowers, chocolates, and yes, even diamonds. The ancient world, in its wisdom, understood that love was not something that could be purchased. The greatest of lovers did not seek to impress one another with gold or gems, but with their actions and their devotion. Cleopatra, beloved queen of Egypt, would not have expected a diamond for the love she shared with Julius Caesar. No, her devotion to him was expressed through shared visions, through the alliance of their kingdoms, and the trust between them—a bond forged not in precious stones but in mutual respect and commitment.

Azmi’s voice calls us back to a simpler, more authentic time, where love was not a transaction but a sacred union. Consider the philosophers of ancient Greece, who spoke of love as a force greater than the world itself. Plato, in his dialogues, spoke not of gifts or tokens of affection, but of the spiritual connection between souls—an eternal bond that transcends the physical world. In his eyes, love was something that could not be measured by anything as fleeting as diamonds. True love, he believed, was the connection of minds, the union of hearts, and the shared pursuit of higher truths. Azmi’s words echo this ancient wisdom, for she understands that no amount of diamonds can replace the depth of a true, heartfelt connection.

Let us reflect on the story of Antony and Cleopatra, whose love was not measured by gifts or extravagance, but by their shared devotion to one another. In their union, Cleopatra did not seek material wealth from Antony; she sought only partnership and mutual understanding. It was said that their love was powerful, not because of the wealth that Antony could offer, but because of the shared dreams they held, their ability to understand one another in ways that others could not. This is the lesson: true love, the kind that lasts and transforms, is not one that can be bought. It is one that is nurtured and honored in the simplest of gestures, not in grand material gifts.

Azmi, in her rejection of the diamond as a symbol of love, speaks to a deeper truth: that love, in its purest form, is not a commodity to be traded, but a sacred trust to be earned and cherished. In a world where the pressures of society and commerce demand that we demonstrate our affection through extravagant means, it is easy to forget that love does not come wrapped in ribbons or set in precious stones. It is found in the quiet moments, the thoughtful acts, the care we show one another through our words and deeds, not through purchases. The diamonds may sparkle brightly, but they cannot shine with the same eternal light that comes from a heart genuinely shared.

Thus, the lesson Azmi offers is a rebuke to the world of consumerism, but also a reminder to those who seek true love: we must value the genuine over the superficial. Love is not a price tag; it is a commitment, an ongoing journey between two hearts that choose one another, day by day. In a world that may seek to commercialize our deepest emotions, let us not be swayed by the false allure of material things. Let us instead offer our hearts, our time, and our effort—for these are the gifts that truly nourish love. Let our expression of affection be measured not by the wealth we can offer, but by the sincerity and depth of our devotion.

In our own lives, let us reject the notion that love must be proven through gifts that shine brightly but fade with time. Let us offer instead the gifts of kindness, patience, and understanding. Let us understand that love is nourished through the shared moments, through the simplicity of two souls that are truly connected. In this, we shall find that love, far from being a marketing gimmick, is the most precious of all treasures, one that cannot be bought but only earned through the authenticity of our hearts.