Shilpa Raina

New Delhi, Feb 11 Don't fret if you are away from your partner this Valentine's Day. With emotions being exchanged virtually and gifting just a click away, technology is helping bridge the gap in long distance relationships.

"In today's day and age, technology touches all aspects of our lives. It especially comes as a blessing in keeping long distance relationships alive. Earlier there was no way to see your loved ones, talk to them, actually watch them in real time and all at a minimal cost. It's all possible now," Rathin Lahiri, Microsoft consumer & online business director, said.

"Technology has changed the world and inadvertently the definition of love as well. Love was once upon a time just a feeling. Today it is about always being in touch, always being reachable, always being able to share the good, the bad and the beautiful. Love is no longer just a feeling, you can be with your loved one all the time," he added.

With options like Skype and Windows live messenger, it has become possible to connect online with your loved ones and voice and video chat at the same time.

"It gives us great pride and happiness that we have had such a big role to play in the lives of lovers, families and friends and in minimising the pain, nuisances and barriers that come with distances and in making long distance relationships more possible, bearable and pleasurable," explained Lahiri.

It is not just the option of video chatting. How about sending a gift to your Valentine and wooing him or her in a different manner? For this, you are just a click away.

Harshit Goyal, who is in the U.S., thousands of miles away from his girlfriend, plans to send her a bouquet of roses at midnight on Valentine's Day.

"I want to surprise her with roses. She knows that I would be gifting her something, but she doesn't know that this will reach her doorstep at midnight. I am sure she will be happy. All I have to do is book online and things are simple," Goyal said.

Online shopping portals are offering a lot of options like jewellery (pearl sets, pearl watches, rings, heart-shaped pendants), combinations of a cake, bouquet and soft toys, men's accessories like cufflinks, wallets, perfumes or electronic items like phones and MP3 players as gift options.

According to Sundeep Malhotra, CEO, HomeShop 18, surprise and convenience associated with online shopping has kept this business going.

"With today's generation getting busier by the day, convenience is an important factor and that applies to expressing love as well. Ordering a gift online or through a call and making it reach your loved one at midnight has become an effortless process. It does keep the surprise factor on and brings in a lot of cheer," said Malhotra.