International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated every year on 8^th March, is dedicated to celebrate womanhood in every form. The day recognizes and appreciates the worldwide social, political and economical achievements of women.

The observance started as International Working Women’s Day to appreciate the political achievements of women and was particularly celebrated in countries like Russia and other countries of the Soviet Block. But the political significance of the day since then has mellowed down and now it is a day to show affection to the woman of your life.

History of IWD

IWD has great significances in shaping the history of mankind and paving the road for women empowerment. The celebration dates back to 1910 when the day was given international recognition. However, the socialist women of the US started celebrating the day in 1908 itself.

To start with, the day was dedicated to review the social progress made by women and anticipating the future issues.

With the turn of the 20^th century, an increasing number of women started entering the workforce but initially their advancements were restricted only to areas like textile, domestic helps and manufacturing where the working conditions were derogatory for women and pay was not exactly at par with the industry standard.

These conditions caused lot of frustration among the women workers and disputes broke out in many industrially developed countries, like the US, Europe, Britain and to some extent in Australia. Demonstrations and protests started to take place and women from different strata of the society took part in them. Some of the major focuses of the movement were on achieving:

• Voting rights for women

• Property rights for women

• Economic and political welfare

• Rights of working class women

• Limiting night sifts

• Introduction of maternity benefits

Timeline of IWD

• In the year 1908 a large demonstration took place in the United States with demands of voting, political and economical rights for women.

• In 1909, the Socialist Party of the US observed the day as National Women’s Day (NWD) across the country. For the first time in history, women garment workers went on a strike in the US.

• In 1910, the second international summit of working women took place in Copenhagen and the day became internationally recognized and celebrated. Around 100 delegates participated in the event from 17 countries. Clara Zetkin, the Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day.

Some of the prominent leaders associated with the movement were:

• Lena Lewis, the U S

• Clara Zetkin, Germany

• Alexandra Kollontai, Russia

• Sylvia Pankhurst, Britain

Although modern women have come a long way, there are still miles to go and so, the Women’s Day is still important in a global social context. We can here quote Lena Lewis who said “it was not a time for celebrating anything, but rather a day for anticipating all the struggles to come when we may eventually and forever stamp out the last vestige of male egotism and his desire to dominate over women". Celebrate Women’s Day and show love and respect to the women in your life and ones around you.

Send International Women's Day cards to all the wonderful women who are a part of your life and make them feel special.

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is the day to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. It is a popular religious event in India and the devotees of Lord Shiva keep a day long fast for their God before worshipping him in the evening. It is therefore also called the night of Shiva. Temples get crowded and men and women queue up for their chances to offer puja to the Shiva Lingam. As per the Hindu calendar, the day may fall between the months of February and March of Gregorian calendar.

Celebration of Mahashivratri

While many of the Hindu festivals are observed during the daytime, celebration of Mahashivratri continues during the day as well as the night.

In the morning, devotees take a bath in the holy river of Ganga and don new clothes. They will then visit the temple to offer the ritual bath of milk, honey, water and ghee to Lord Shiva. Pujas and aartis are then performed and hymns are sung in order to praise Lord Shiva.

Though both men and women can keep fast on Mahashivratri, it is mostly popular with women. Shiva is considered to be an ideal husband and unmarried women keep fast to pray for a future husband like Shiva. On the other hand, married women observe the event to pray for the wellbeing of their husbands.

Jaagran or a nightlong vigil is observed at homes and temples and hymns and devotional songs are sung. In the morning, the devotees break their fasts after distributing the offerings (prasad) from the last night’s puja.

Legends associated with Mahashivratri

In Hindu religion, Mahashivratri has great significance. According to many references, Lord Shiva got married to Sati, the divine mother, on this particular day. According to the Hindu scripture, Mahashivratri falls on the 14^th day of the new moon cycle of Phalgun. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva manifested the form of lingam first.

Worshipping Lord Shiva on this day is said to please the Lord most and as a result, he will bestow eternal bliss and prosperity upon his devotees. Keeping fast and worshipping the deity on Shivratri are said to purify one’s soul and pave the road for nirvana. It will wash off all his sins and will liberate the soul from the cycle of birth and death

Send Maha Shivratri cards to your friends and relatives.

Valentine's Day

February is the month to celebrate love because 14^th February is the Valentine’s Day. On this day, lovers around the world celebrate the wonderful relations of love and companionship. It is celebrated with great festivity, and fun. Couples go for gifts like sweets, flowers, greeting cards, candies as tokens of love and Valentine’s Day themed nights, parties and fun competitions are organized everywhere. Common symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts (preferably red painted), doves, roses, chocolates, and cupids.

Evolution of the day of love

According to the popular belief the day commemorates the day of martyrdom of St. Valentine, one of the earliest martyrs of Christianity. The celebration of the day was started by Pope Gelasius I during 496 AD. The event was first associated with romantic love by Geoffrey Chaucer during middle age period.

Although there were more than one Saint Valentine during the early ages the closest association was found with Valentine of Rome in AD 269. He was a Christian priest and his remains were buried in Via Flaminia. However, the earliest Valentine day celebrations weren’t associated with romantic relations between couples.

The concept of romantic valentine flourished when courtly love became a part of medieval lifestyle. During this period lots of mention of Valentine’s Day can be found in poems and letters.

Modern day celebration

Nowadays Valentine’s Day gives a great opportunity for business as it has become almost customary to gift your beloved on this day. Many take the opportunity to express their love for the first time or make their marriage proposals on this day. Although it is not an official holiday couples can be found enjoying moments of togetherness in parks, restaurants and other places. Some celebrate the day by escaping to romantic gateways. Shops are decorated with hearts and balloons and a great display of gifts and chocolates are arranged to attract love-struck couples.

Send Happy Valentine's Day cards and express your love with these Valentine Messages