Roses all the way as lovers celebrate V-Day

New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Romance was in the air as youngand not-so-young couples kept their date with the Valentine''sDay today while the police kept an hawk-eye on lovelessconservatives from donning the role of moral cops.

Cupid reigned supreme as lovebirds exchanged gifts, redroses and flocked to popular hangouts like malls, restaurants,pubs and multiplexes to celebrate the day.

The Lovers'' Day was peaceful this time across thecountry unlike in the past when some activists of right-wingHindu outfits tarred faces of cuddling couples and marriedsome of them.

Even radical Shiv Sena, whose activists in the past hadvanadalised shops and targeted couples, chose to lay low thistime.

Police had made elaborate arrangements to thwart anyattempt at moral policing by those who loathe the westernconcept of romance.

"We are not for moral policing. We will not allowanyone to take law into their hands. We have deployed adequatenumber of police to ensure that there is no violence andharassment of couples," a senior police official said in thenational capital.

Towns were painted red with beautifully-decoratedshops selling special Valentine''s Day accessories.

Heart-shaped chocolates and crimson red-rosed bouquetsjostled for attention even as those basking in their twilightyears expressed love for their beloved.

At many places, the V-Day celebrations were a mix ofthe traditional and the contemporary.

Florists did a roaring business as gift manufacturersvied with each other in offering couples to have their namesand the cupid printed on their sleeves or T-shirts.

"A red rose usually costs Rs 10 but on Valentine''s Dayit was priced at Rs 30 or even more," said Vinod Sharma, anadvertising professional in Delhi.