Defining Love: Voices of the Youth

As we enter February, the month of love, today’s youth reflect on various interpretations of this powerful emotion. These young individuals’ united voices weave a tapestry of friendship, comfort, and selflessness. Their insights, which range from familial attachments to friendships, highlight the many shades of love.

“Love is about understanding each other’s needs, likes and dislikes and about accepting their flaws also, along with their positive outlooks. I believe loyalty is the most important thing in love.”
ROHIT ODIYA (18) / Gujarat

“Love! First, let us be clear that love here does not refer to only romantic love. Friendship is a form of love; romantic love is one, with family, it’s another form. The place where you keep falling back stronger even after arguments and messy conversations is what love is. It’s like the warmth on a winter night. Love is hope in the heart’s most tender moments, a beacon that guides us through the darkest nights.”
NANDINI MUKHERJEE (18) / West Bengal

“Love is companionship. More than holding hands under the moon, it’s more about the little gestures one does to make you smile on a bad day. You know it’s love when you enjoy reading a book silently in their presence, as well as when you talk endlessly about your travel wish list. Love isn’t a missing puzzle piece that completes me. But it makes me feel more complete and more wholesome than ever.”
SUMANA GHOSH (22) / Kolkata

“Love is the most beautiful and precious thing in the universe. Love is like a flower which blossoms in different colours. From familial bonds to friendships, love manifests in sacrifices and joys. Nature reciprocates our care, and love extends to animals, non-living things, and life goals. In essence, love, an indescribable feeling, finds expression in actions and connections that shape our world.”
SANTHOSH KUMAR (22) / Tamil Nadu

“One of my favourite definitions of love is: “Love is putting someone else’s needs before yours.” Love is not only a feeling between a boy and a girl, it can be for anyone for anything, anywhere at any time. “My mother likes me to be successful in life”, that’s love for her son. “I want my friend to be happy and I will make sure of it”, that’s love towards a friend. Love is the only thing that doesn’t need anything to be happy other than love for love’s sake.”
SUBBIAH (21) / Madurai

“Love is not an extravagant display or an expensive gesture; at least, this has never been the definition of love for me. Love for me equals physical, mental and emotional comforts. The kind of comfort that one experiences after coming home from a long tiring day, or the comfort one feels when they converse with their best friend. Love is the ease of existence, the calmness and the feeling of security one gets when they are with the other person.”
SIDHARTH G. (22) / Kerala