Students of Tender Hearts International School in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 13: Valentine’s Day is a day of love not only for couples but for everyone close to one’s heart.

The students and their parents showcased this idea at Tender Hearts International School today.

The children assembled to express their love for their valentines and presented their parents with roses to mark the day. While some had their mother as their valentine, some had their countries and even pets.

The celebrations started off with a couples’ dance and later, parents also had a dance with their children.

While Vidya clinched the title of Valentine Mother, Randhir Kumar became the Valentine Father. Mohammad Sana Ullah Khan and Kahkasha Nehal were chosen the best valentine couple.

The teachers — Anita, Shilpita, Nisha, Preeti, Tannu and Varsha — stood by the students throughout the programme to ensure its success.

Rakesh Kumar Sinha, one of the parents at the event, said: “It is a misconception that Valentine’s Day is only for couples who express their love through heart-shaped gifts and candlelight dinners. But this day is for everybody in love. It is a day for siblings and parents too. It is for only a few narrow-minded people that everybody thinks it is only for couples.”

Archana Sinha, Rakesh’s wife, said: “I am here to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my three-year-old son Rakshit. I loved the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day with my child. Your valentine is anybody who is close to your heart, so why should not my child be my valentine? For a mother, no one is more special than her child.”

The school’s committee members also echoed Archana’s views.

Ravi Bhargava, a member of the school committee, said: “My mother is my valentine. I can never repay her for everything she has done. Now, she is 76 years old and continues to take care of me. She has been showering attention on every aspect of my life.”