Renowned journalist Shafik Rehman faces the state news agency BSS on the occasion of Valentine's Day. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Feb 14, 2025 (BSS) - World Valentine's Day is observed in Bangladesh on February 14 in a blend of Western and native culture. 

The idea of Valentine's Day in this country comes from the West. On this day, love is expressed towards the beloved through the exchange of flowers and gifts like chocolates, clothes and so on.

"I have always wanted every family, every relationship to be full of all kinds of love, so that there will be no violence, revenge and hatred between people," journalist Shafik Rehman, who has made the Western Valentine's Day popular in Bangladesh, by celebrating it as 'Bhalobasa Dibos'.

Shafik Rehman, the founding editor of the once widely circulated and popular weekly 'Jai Jai Din' (currently the editor of Jai Jai Din Pratidin), brought out a separate issue called 'Bhalobasha Dibosh' in his weekly in 1993. Since then, Valentine's Day is being celebrated all over the country.

On the occasion of Valentine's Day, Shafiq Rehman recently talked to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) senior correspondent Selina Sheuli.

BSS: From what plan did you prioritize the issue of celebrating Valentine's Day in Bangladesh?

Shafik Rehman: I witnessed many massacres in my childhood. Among them the notable events were the incidents at the end of World War II in 1944. Another was the 'Great Calcutta Riot' in 1946. These had a very negative impact on me. I have always been against death and the death penalty. My argument is that you can give people everything, but do not give them the death penalty. I do not support these. I think that the only answer to all violence, unrest, hatred, malice and revenge is still love. If you love someone, then you cannot kill them. Humans are the only animals that kill their own kind. Human being changes, civilization changes that is the truth. So, human beings have to change. That is where human progress lies.
 
BSS: The celebration of Valentine's Day in Bangladesh started with your hand, from what thought did you take such a decision?

Shafik Rehman: Even though I have been out of the country for a long time, I have always felt a sense of responsibility towards the country and its people. I felt that there needs to be a stable situation in the country. The division between people needs to be removed. The people of the country need peace. I thought that peace needs to be brought to this country. Everyone needs to be tolerant and non-violent. So, we need to start with love. In 1992, I started publishing the daily newspaper. In 1993, I published the first Love issue. After thinking about various things, I chose February 14 as a special day but in a slightly different way. I did not name it Valentine's Day.

In the West, Valentine's Day is limited to lovers, husbands and wives. I thought that Valentine's Day in Bangladesh will be celebrated following the native culture. It will be a day of love for everyone. I told my colleagues that the greatest love relationship is the relationship between a mother and a son. I saw whether educated or uneducated people use words like "Mayer Doai Cholilam" in their CNG-run auto-rickshaws, rickshaws, buses, trucks, banners, shops or billboards as all revolve around mother. This is the only true relationship where there is no self-interest. Where a child loves his mother, the mother loves her child. 
Even if he has a loving relationship with the father, he sometimes gets locked into conflict with him. The only relationship between mother and child is above all interests. So, Valentine's Day should be given a family form. That is why I thought of celebrating it as 'Bhalobasha Dibash' instead of Western Valentine's Day.

BSS: Please tell me something about the wall writings in your house, and do you remember anyone's inspiration behind Valentine's Day?

Shafik Rehman: Incidentally, the white wall in front of my house was empty. After getting it washed, I thought that I could write some favourite words or song lyrics instead of leaving this space empty. As the idea goes, so does the action. I wrote about 80 sayings on the wall. Of these, I remember two sayings. One was that famous English television host, journalist and writer David Frost said, "Love is staying up all night with a sick child - or a healthy adult." 

Another one was American poet and novelist Charles Bukowski's quote, "If you want to know who your friends are, get yourself a jail sentence." 
Those writings on the wall are no longer there due to lack of care and due to being out of the country for a long time. These will be written afresh in future.

However, I would like to mention an experience, one day I was sitting on the veranda in front of my house in the afternoon reading or writing something. Suddenly, my eyes fell on the wall in front of the house. I saw an old man, much younger than me, but much older than me, his teeth had fallen out, wearing dirty lungis and genji. He had a basket on his head. The basket seemed to contain some old bottles and something else. He was standing with the basket on his head, reading the writings on the wall. I thought the man was educated. I was watching him. As soon as he stepped forward, I quickly got down and ran to him. The thin, long-legged man was walking. 

I went closer and asked, 'Bhai Sahib, don't mind, I saw that you read all the writings. How did you like it? He said, "It feels good". I asked again, which one did you like best? He pointed to a song with his finger. I saw the two lines written by Gouri Prasanna Majumdar, the man of Pabna district, the pride of our country, in that famous song by singer Manna Dey, 'Hridoy Ache Jar Sei to Bhalobashe, Protiti Manusher Jibone Prem Ase.' I felt that love had come into this man's life too. It was on this man's face. He was remembering his memory. I felt a pang of emotion when I saw it.

BSS: You brought out a special issue on Valentine's Day, tell me something about the process.

Shafik Rehman: An example of 'The Guardian' newspaper can be given. What did the Guardian newspaper do - it used to give such a news report among all the serious news, you had to find out, how did the Guardian make its readers April Fools? They would later tell the readers that there was a clue in this news, that intelligent people could understand in which report the readers were made April Fools. This novelty of the Guardian fascinated me. Such ideas made me think. So, I published a 32-page 'Valentine's Day' issue in the newspaper. The readers are the authors of some articles. I had allocated 16 pages to see how the readers felt. I gave details about Valentine's Day. This novel idea was very well received.

BSS: You gave priority to the 'red rose' issue on this day, tell us something about that.

Shafik Rehman: Look, I think love is universal. On this day, even amidst the busy schedule, if you express love to your dear and near ones in a slightly different way, the distance between people can be bridged. There should be an external expression of love. Friends-neighbors, teachers-students, police-public, landlords-tenants, such a relationship of love should be created between everyone. I am talking about red roses because it is available on the streets. I have been saying since the beginning of the celebration of Bhalobasha Dibosh on the day of Valentine's Day, that some beautiful moments should be shared with the loved ones in the morning on that day. 

Children should make their parents a cup of tea. More can be done. I have also written how to express love to many people. If you have money, then buy chocolates. If you cannot afford to buy these things, then at least you can give a kiss for free. These are the words that I would like to say.

BSS: What advice did you give to the sellers of Shahbagh about flowers?

Shafik Rehman: If you notice, you will see that roses and other flowers are sold in the market with long stems in addition to bouquets. When I go to Shahbagh, the traders are very happy. When they recognize me, they come up to me and talk a lot. So, one day I advised them to sell flowers with long stems so that after buying the flowers, the buyers can arrange them in a tub for a few days. I myself saw while making love, I need to give flowers to my wife, where can I get them? Back then, they were not so easy to get. Back then, I used to bribe the gardener of the university. So, he brought me a bouquet of roses cut from the stem. You can't carry a bouquet around. So, I told them to cut the flower stem to make it suitable for arranging in a vase. I did that too.
 
BSS: Many people are benefiting financially from the day. Tell me something about this.
 
Shafik Rehman: The interest of the people of Bangladesh in the day is increasing. It is spreading rapidly. I never thought that it would spread so much. Look, everyone is seen happy and smiling on this day. People of all classes and professions go out with their families according to their ability, enjoying themselves. This is a day that everyone celebrates spontaneously in Bangladesh.

One day, I read in the newspaper that flowers worth Taka 12 crore were sold in Jashore on a Valentine's Day. I was very happy to see that the commercial aspect of this Valentine's Day is increasing. It opened up the way for people to earn a little more. I think it is a big contribution.
 
BSS: Has 'Valentine's Day' brought about any special change in the mentality of the people of Bangladesh? What do you think?

Shafik Rehman: I dream of a beautiful Bangladesh that embodies the basic principle of Valentine's Day, where everyone will have freedom of expression, compassion among people will increase.

During the anti-discrimination movement, there was graffiti on the wall - Religion belongs to individuals but the country belongs to everyone. I liked it very much. Everyone should practice their own religion. This is what should happen. 

In this country, people judge sins and virtues. Whatever kindness and generosity they show, they do it by judging sins and virtues. That is why we need religion. But we should not be religious haters. And Jesus Christ said, 'Love the neighbour'. I am saying love your police, love your landlord. 'Bhalobasha Dibosh' is not just a one-day emotion, but love needs to be nurtured throughout the year.

BSS: Recently, some people are posting on Facebook - "It is more important to remember the martyrs of the July Uprising' instead of celebrating Valentine's Day this year".

Shafik Rehman: It is more necessary to remember the martyrs of the July Uprising on this day. Because, it is because of the sacrifice of these martyrs we are able to speak freely. 

In the past years, we lost our freedom of expression. I want a minute of silence to be observed in any event in the country to remember these brave martyrs. And to love these students and the people more for the freedom they gave in exchange for their blood, we must give importance to this day. I have titled the special love issue of our weekly 'Mouchake Dhil' 'Love in the Struggle for Dreams.'

BSS: Thanks for giving your valuable time.

Shafik Rehman: Thank you too.