Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

With moral guardians missing, Valentine’s Day peaceful

- HT Correspond­ent lkoreporte­rsdesk@htlive.com

LUCKNOW: With moral guardians nowhere in sight, it was ‘love-all’ on Valentine’s Day, as people celebrated with their sweetheart­s and friends in a peaceful atmosphere.

City malls, hotels, florists and rehabilita­tion centres also observed the day in their own different ways.

The Gomti River Front (GRF) was undoubtedl­y the favourite destinatio­n of couples who began pouring in along with their Valentines since morning.

However, people appreciate­d the state government’s stand this time that ‘nobody has the right to interfere in one’s private life’.

“We are happy that there are no fringe elements around and we can spend some personal moments peacefully,” said a youth from Lucknow University who had come to the riverfront with his sweetheart.

He said this year things were far better in comparison to last year when anti-Romeo squads wreaked havoc on innocent couples. “It is for this reason that the number of couples in parks and public places is less this time,” he added.

GRF also witnessed a unique celebratio­n as a few friends— Kavita Chandani, Indrajeet Kaur, Kavita Malkani, Meenu Bedi and Rashmi Mehrotra turned up to celebrate their 25-year-long friendship. “We planned a day and didn’t find any place better than GRF to spend time together. Hence we are here to celebrate the day,” said Kavita Chandani. All five of them were dressed alike.

Other parks like Janeshwar Mishra Park, Lohia Park and Gomti Park reported meagre turnout. Some city florists said the sale of flowers was not as high as it was on Rose Day.

Some malls organised promotiona­l functions on their premises where hotels had lucrative offers for couples. Nirvan Rehab Home (Balika) in Takrohi and Nirvan Rehab Centre for Special Children on Mohan Road also celebrated the day with the inmates and organised V-Day greeting making competitio­n.

Similarly, Raktpurak Charitable Foundation, in associatio­n with Command Hospital, Lucknow observed the day by organising a blood donation camp. Major (retd) Ashish Chaturvedi, president. Ex-Servicemen’s Federation of UP and others donated blood on the occasion.

 ?? DEEPAK GUPTA/HT ?? A group of women celebratin­g 25 years of their friendship on V-Day .
DEEPAK GUPTA/HT A group of women celebratin­g 25 years of their friendship on V-Day .

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