Every day of the year is Valentine Day for lovers but their arrow strikes on a very special day. Traditionally, February 14^th has marked that special occasion and in modern times, the day brings with it a lot of offers to celebrate ties with someone special.

The sad part of the valentine day is

Like in the other parts of the world, people in India would also be going to celebrate 14^th February. There would be heavy rush of teenagers in gifts shop who are eager to buy cards for their lovers. But interestingly, the young generation is not aware of the fact that why 14^th February is celebrated as Valentine Day and take part in celebrations merely to mark the occasion.

When interacted with a few of them and queried about the same, they responded that as the world is celebrating the day so they are and the most of them were quite oblivious to the actual reason. For them, the day was merely an opportunity to express their love and affection to their person whom they love so much. Most of the people have opinion that the day is celebrated only by those people who have girl or boy friend.

A young girl to whom I asked just to know after seeing greeting card in her hand why people celebrate Valentine and she said, I don

Gifting flowers and Chocolates on Valentine Day have now passed as in this Cyber era, a number of websites have come up with unique offers. Beside presenting exquisite jewellery to one

The Valentine

Industrial development is the core of economic progress and prosperity of a country. In modern times it does not only help in attaining self-sufficiency but also adds to its importance in many other spheres.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir is no less important than any other state in India, but its importance is based on

Our state is rich in forests. The slopes of the Himalayan ranges are covered with forests. They cover an area of about nine thousand square kilometers from which about 3 lac. Cu. Metres of wood is extracted every year by the Lumbering Department of the state forests are indeed, the wealth and beauty of our state. They are the green gold which brings about a net annual income of five crores of rupees to the state. This is the major item of income in the budget every year. As such they the most precious treasures of the state and must be guarded carefully. The state government spends crores of rupees annually on the preservation and perpetuation of these forests. The pine, fur, cedar and walnut trees are very valuable. Many industries flourishing in the state, depend directly or indirectly on them. Much care is, therefore, taken by the government for their up-keep and preservation. A forest department is establishing where thousands of labours, hundreds of clerks and scores of officers work and earn their livelihood.

Rosin got from the pine trees is refined in the government Rosin and Turpentine Factory at Miransahib. Turpentine and its by-products are very valuable and are in much demand. The walnut wood lends itself to carving. Decorative pieces of wonderful designs are made out of walnut wood. Timber obtained from deodar and pine is used for making houses, furniture and boxes for packaging of fruits. The matches factory at Baramulla, silk manufacturing and weaving factories at Jammu and Srinagar, two very big leather tanning factories in the state, plywood manufacturing factory at Pampur, paint factories in Jammu and hundreds of saw-mills working almost in every town and city of the state. The forests provide wood for match sticks and match boxes. The willow trees provide us with soft, fine and elastic branches. These branches are skillfully woven into baskets and boxes etc. The wood is used in making costly bats and hockey sticks. These are prepared in the government Willow Factory at Miransahib. Paper and board Factory at Miransahib mainly depends on certain kind of grass and barks of trees which are found in the state. Boat, Shikara and Doonga making is also a big industry in the state. The wood used in their manufacture comes from the forest s. The medical herbs

The valley of Kashmir, tucked as it is in a ring of Himalayan hills, is one of the coldest parts of India. It is but natural that winter should stay longer in Kashmir than in the plains.It begins with October and ends with March. The two first months and the last are very pleasant and enjoyable. One enjoys long walks. According to the varying strength of cold, the season is divided into three parts. But 40 days from 20th December to the end of January called Chille Kalan are the best coldest. Then follows the Chilla Bachcha with its 10 days. Clouds bank up. The sky is overcast and threatening. A raw wind blows which makes people shiver. The sun loses its warmth and brightness. It often remains hidden behind clouds, mists and fogs.

In winter the valley presents a deserted look . Tourists and businessmen leave the valley and with them departs all hustle and bustle. The business in the markets and bazaar comes almost to a stand still. The government offices move down to jammu ; the gujjars drive their flocks down to the plains and a large number of labour class of the valley leave for Jammu or other places in the Punjab and Haryana to spend their winter and work for wages. Boatmen and coolies who have had their day, have practically no work to do. The craftsmen who are noted for their fine craftsmanship. However, do not remain idle. They ply their needle or do whatever their job requires them to do behind closed doors. There are no customers from outside, but buying and selling continues. Shopkeepers of course, do not do much business. They have to live on what they had earned during summer. Because of intense cold, little work is done in the offices. The schools are closed for the winter break. All outdoor activies remain almost suspended.

In winter the sky generally remains overcast with clouds. Often snow flakes accompany the rain. Sometimes severe snowstorm follows. There are heaps of snow everywhere. The streets and bazaars and fields and gardens are all covered with snow. No fruits and vegetables are to be had in Kashmir during winter. People have mostly to live on pulses and meat. Fresh vegetables are to be brought from the plains, but they sell very dear. There is not much of traffic in the bazaars. People cannot go from one place to another easily. The roads are cleared off the snow, but slush remains. Shoes get wet and clothes get soiled when you walk. The river and the lakes gets sometimes frozen. People cannot use Shikaras and Doongas for their conveyance.

During winter people have mainly to keep indoors. They avoid travelling during these days. To walk over the snow becomes a problem for them. If you do not have a slip you are very lucky. To keep the roads open for traffic, the government now employs bull-dozers and snow-sweepers, but still the buses , the cars and scooters are piled with the utmost difficulty. water is frozen into the taps like snow rods and one has to heat the tap to get water from it . People avoid taking bath. They are content with washing their faces etc., dry fuel is scarcely available. People take care to store it before the setting in of the winter. The wealthy and advanced families have taken to gas and electric stoves to cook their food. Electric heaters are used to warm the rooms.

Everybody in the valley during winter feels the string of the cold and their fingers become numb. Sometimes they get frostbitten. Children go about with their noses running. They have to use Kangris or room heaters to warm themselves. The biting chilly winds that blows, make moving about an uphill task. People find pleasure by sitting round the burning chimney or an electric heater working in an air-tight room only. Windows and holes that let in air are practically sealed. One should not form an idea that winter makes people unhappy. They enjoy themselves. There are festivities going on. They throw parties. They sit round the boiling Somavar or the tea-kettle. Hot tea without milk what is known as