Delhi goes all out to celebrate Valentine's Day

Exotic orchids and varied-hued roses decorated even tiny florists' shops here and cafes pulled up shutters earlier than usual this Valentine's Day Sunday to help young couples celebrate the day in a special way.

Exotic orchids and varied-hued roses decorated even tiny florists' shops here and cafes pulled up shutters earlier than usual this Valentine's Day Sunday to help young couples celebrate the day in a special way.

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Raghu Kumar, a florist near Delhi University, said the demand for flowers shoots up a week before Valentine's Day. "Business is booming during Valentine's week. A rose stem which is generally priced at Rs.10 is priced at Rs.30-50, but students don't mind spending that extra buck," he said.

It's a similar story for the card shops where gift items and greeting cards were seen flying off the shelves late Saturday and early Sunday.

Ravi Sharma, a student of Delhi University, said: "I bought a bouquet of pink roses for my girl friend this (Sunday) morning and it cost me Rs.500 which is quite a big amount considering the shoe string budget we students have, but it's alright."

"For the day, I plan to take her out for a movie and then go for lunch to this tiny Korean restaurant nearby," he added.
For some, the day's plans are exotic.

BPO employee Ravina Sharma planned a surprise trip for her fiance to Neemrana Fort Palace on the outskirts of Delhi to celebrate Valentine's Day.

"It was an impromptu plan. I am so bored with the same kind of celebrations. The coffee shops and markets teem with people on Valentine's Day but I wanted something more private. So I decided to drive him to Neemrana on Saturday, stay at the heritage resort, celebrate the day there and drive back Sunday evening," Sharma said.

"He was floored! And it felt good to woo him for a change instead of always the other way round," she smiled.

However, some plans were hit by the terror attack in Pune Saturday night.

Ragini Jain, a student, said: "It doesn't feel right to go all out celebrating Valentine's Day after the deadly terror attack in Pune. Moreover, I would rather avoid the market place today, in case all the moral police goons do something nasty. So my boyfriend and I have decided to stay in and watch a movie instead."