Cupid smiles away into love-pockets

Kolkata, Feb 14 (UNI) Cupid is on the move and right from the office cubicle to the rush hour tube everyone seems to be love smitten, albeit at a price.

Valentine celebrations are dedicated to love, but with changing times traditions have changed.

In ancient times, it's said that the names of women were thrown into a hat on Valentine's Day and drawn by men to determine who their mate was going to be for the next year.

Later, the practice was discontinued and a festival emerged where women were offered handwritten greetings of affection.

Over the years, practices and traditions changed but one thing that's been consistent is that it's a day celebrated all over the world with fervour and passion.

In Kolkata, love is proving costly and so will vouch the platinum and diamond dealers and happily so.

To attract the young and trendy this Valentine's Day, leading jewellery retailer has organised a platinum festival.

The festival is showcasing over 500 designs in plain platinum jewellery and platinum diamond combinations for finger rings, ear tops, earrings, pendants and chains. Prices range from Rs 4,000-80,000.

''We sold about 250 pieces last year, the average sale price at Rs 15,000. We want to sell around 350 this year,'' said the jewellery retailer.

Platinum, which is about 30 times rarer than gold and one-and-a-half times as expensive, is becoming increasingly familiar.

The Diamond merchants are also raking in the moolah on the occasion.

Just look around and every eatery and card shop is sporting the V-day message. As youths are gathering and shoping around for gifts for their valentines.

The low pressure around Gangetic West Bengal has added to the Valentine aura. A chill in the air and the moist swirling raindrops have made Kolkata look like the idyllic setting of any romantic Hollywood flick.

The parks are full and so are the pubs and theatres, as people choose to give in to Cupid's fancies.

UNI