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Metro Plus
Sentiment and safety
THE HORMONES had no role to play at Ethiraj College on Valentine's Day. Strange as it may sound, it was true because while the Road Safety Patrol (RSF) band played merrily, the girls and boys of the RSP stepped forward shyly, handed over the roses to the class representatives and college union leaders, and whispered "Happy Valentine's Day!"
There was more. A leaflet on traffic rules went with each rose as the principal, Ms. Indhrani Sridharan, watched her girls proudly. "Let this celebration be a mark of our respect for human life. We will celebrate Valentine's Day this way each year," she said.
"I broached this issue with the principal, and she agreed readily. With help from our traffic warden, Mr. Mehta, we organised this get-together," said Mr. Karuna Sagar, Deputy Commissioner Traffic (South). Later, Mr. Sakthi Vel, DCP Traffic (North), explained this joint venture to the media persons.
And why not something different on Valentine's Day? Bring the youths together but not to trade clichés on mutual need for the other. The fear of rejection and being overwhelmed by hesitation that existed once upon a time is passé today as girls and boys do not hesitate to exhibit their intimacy in broad daylight. "Kadal Desams" of Kodambakkam have left their indelible mark. With technology at their fingertips, the youth exchange amorous messages on their cell phones, thanks to the SMS. The aim: short-term intimacy with zero long-term commitment.
So, it was a pleasant trip back in time to find teenage boys literally hiding behind each other and egging on the one's in front. And after the flash guns stopped popping, and the TV crew got their footage, one could almost hear a distinct sigh of relief from the young women, boys and girls.
Just as one celebrates life when a child is born, this was a pledge to celebrate life by preventing fatalities on the road. And what better way to do it than on Valentine's Day!
G.G.
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