For a consumer and market-driven economy, today is Valentine’s Day.

But, for billions of women across the globe, February 14 will mark the day when they will rise, dance, act, play music, sing and march to raise their voices against growing violence on them in all spheres of life. As part of the global ‘One Billon Rising’ campaign, India, too, will have day-long programmes across the States. The campaign is spearheaded by playwright and activist, Eve Ensler (of The Vagina Monologues  fame) and her organisation V-Day.

In Delhi, a flash mob of over 100 people will dance on Parliament Street, followed by plays, songs and exhibitions , said the organisers at a press meet here on Wednesday.

In Kerala, artist Sajitha will begin work on an art installation in the Durbar Hall ground in Kochi, followed by performances by singers Usha Uthup and Chitra Iyer, and Kudumbashree women drummers and instrumentalists. In the evening, an oath for men will be read out by Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer and for women by Chief Justice Manjula Chelur.

In Mumbai, celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Rahul Bose, Mita Vashisht, Javed Akhtar, Atul Kulkarni, Ehsaan and Loy and Rekha Bhardwaj are expected to participate.

A flash mob of 100 persons, Odissi dancer, Jhelum Paranjpe, and protest rappers and other singers will participate.

In Bhopal, actor Shabana Azmi will be chief guest in an event titled ‘Bol ke Lab Azad Hain Tere.’

In Ahmedabad, dancer Mallika Sarabhai will perform the traditional Garba dance with more than 20,000 men and women for two hours.

aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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