New Delhi,Feb 14: Young and not-so-young lovers
across the country celebrated Valentine's Dayon Wednesday,
undeterred by protests in several places by Sangh Parivar
outfits and radical groups that described the occasion as a
Western phenomenon which corrupted the youth.
Activists of Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), the
students wing of the Shiv Sena, beat up employees of two
outlets dealing in car batteries in Pune for distributing
greeting cards and roses to mark Valentine's Day.
Members of the Sena, VHP and Bajrang Dal played
spoilsport for couples romancing in public parks in Rajasthan
and burnt stacks of cards and gifts. There were also protests
by the Sena in Punjab and the radical women's group Dukhtaran-
e-Millat in Srinagar.
In Connaught place -- the commercial hub of Delhi --
the public display of affection was at its best. Restaurants
tried to score points by offering special discounts and even
flowers and soft toys to lure lovers in.
There were helicopter rides for those who came up with
the "wackiest way to propose" and Maharaja-style elephant
rides for the love-struck who scribbled the mushiest messages
on a "love billboard" at the city's Moolchand flyover.
In Mumbai, the annual "lovers' day" saw the usual buzz
with bouquets and gifts exchanging hands. Even pets had it
good, with the tailwaggers animal salon playing cupid to "dog
couples", offering them free aroma therapy sessions.
Some youngsters took the opportunity to make their
hitherto hidden "feelings" known to their loved ones, and many
sought to reinforce this with gifts, flowers and jewellery,
notwithstanding an opportunistic hike in their prices in the
run-up to the celebrations.
The lanes, sea faces and bus-shelters in space-starved
Mumbai were also peppered with many a dreamy-eyed pair.
In Chandigarh, the tight vigil by police and the soggy
weather hit the plans of the love-struck to celebrate the day.
The Panjab University turned into a virtual fortress
with two of its three entry gates remaining closed till late
afternoon. Entry into the campus was allowed only after a
thorough checking of students' identity cards.
The inclement weather, however, did not deter
policemen, who were out in full strength across the city to
prevent rowdyism.
The strict arrangements made by police did not go down
well with youngsters. "The cops should not wield their stick
on Valentine's Day. Law and order should be maintained as a
routine. Why should all eyes remain focused on those who are
celebrating the occasion? It spoils the fun," said Raghav, who
was out with his friend Shweta.
The Dukhtaran-e-Millat and other groups burnt cards
and gifts in Sringar, saying the celebrations had no place in
Kashmiri society. Under the banner of the Forum Against Social
Evils (FASE), activists raided shops at residency road and set
afire cards and gifts.
Bureau Report