Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

Valentine's Day low-key affair in Tirupati

Staff Reporter

Police deny permission for celebrations at star hotels Police deny permission for celebrations at star hotels

TIRUPATI: The first fortnight of February has two interesting aspects. While lovers' escapade plans for Valentine's Day is one side of the coin, the tension associated with it due to threat from the police, and cultural police alike, is the other.

This year, Valentine's Day turned out to be a low-key affair. If the success of the event is to be measured in commercial terms, the business generated on the day was far from satisfactory.

Star hotels initially planned a musical nite with candlelight dinner for young couples, but the police officials declined permission at the last minute, fearing tension. While Hotel Fortune Kences threw a special buffet, a Valentine cake and surprise gifts like mobile handsets for lucky winners, Hotel Bliss confined itself to fun games and a special dinner.

No flower power

The day passed off colourless, as floral business took a nosedive. According to Sai Kumar, who runs Blue Petals, a leading florist in town, the cost of roses, anthuriums and other flowers quadrupled in Bangalore for no known reason, which played spoilsport. "Also, tension due to threats by some self-styled moral police kept the youth away," he added. utiques and outlets selling greeting cards and gift articles too registered dull business, making one wonder where all the lovers have gone.

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