Nagpur: On Valentine’s Day, the city glows with red roses, candlelit dinners and promises whispered under soft lights. But behind the bright shopfronts and social media declarations of love, doctors and counsellors warn of a quieter, more troubling story unfolding, one that rarely makes it to greeting cards.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, as many as 650 unmarried young women in Nagpur underwent abortions, a figure that health experts say should prompt serious reflection.
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Feb 14th, 2026 - Time 11.45Hrs
While affection and attraction are natural parts of growing up, specialists caution that relationships formed in haste, often influenced by early exposure to the internet and social media, are leading to consequences many young people are unprepared to face.
A pattern hidden behind celebration
According to data from the Health Department, a total of 12,542 abortions were recorded during the year, 766 in government hospitals and 11,776 in private facilities.
Of these:
• 4 girls were below 15 years of age
• 135 were between 15 and 19 years (total 139 under 19)
• 1,780 were aged 20–24
• 4,310 were aged 25–29
• 3,998 were aged 30–34
• 1,900 were aged 35–39
• 396 were aged 40–44
• 19 were aged 45 and above
While abortions occur for multiple medical and personal reasons, doctors note that adolescent pregnancies and unintended conceptions among unmarried young women are an increasingly worrying trend.
Love in the digital age
Experts point to changing social dynamics. In the age of smartphones and instant messaging, emotional intimacy often develops quickly. However, emotional readiness does not always match physical involvement.
“Adolescent attraction, insufficient knowledge, and immature understanding of relationships are leading many young girls and women to face unintended pregnancies,” said a sexologist. “In such situations, social pressure, fear of disrupted education, and mental stress often force them into difficult decisions. The most effective solution is comprehensive sex education.”
Doctors stress that abortion is not merely a medical procedure. For many, it is accompanied by emotional strain, guilt, anxiety, and long-term psychological impact. The silence surrounding such experiences often deepens the trauma.
The need for dialogue
Mental health professionals underline the importance of open conversations at home and in classrooms. They argue that moral lectures alone cannot solve the issue. What is needed, they say, is honest communication, scientific sex education, and guidance that helps young people distinguish between fleeting passion and lasting responsibility.
Parents, too, are urged to create safe spaces where teenagers can ask uncomfortable questions without fear or judgement.
A call for reflection
As Nagpur celebrates love with enthusiasm, the statistics serve as a sobering reminder that relationships carry responsibilities beyond romance. Behind every number lies a personal story, often marked by confusion, fear, and isolation.
Valentine’s Day may be about hearts and happiness, but health experts say the conversation must also include awareness, preparedness and protection, so that young dreams are not overshadowed by unintended consequences.
