The rain dampened the spirits of the love birds of Doon valley on the Valentine’s Day. The incessant rain also poured water on the hopes of good business of the hoteliers, restaurant owners, florists and the gift shops owners on the day.
The people of the city specially the youth had made plans well in advance for celebrating the day of love and pleasant weather in the week enthused them, the propose day, rose day, teddy day, chocolate day, kiss day and the hug day — the preceding days of the Valentine’s Day — were celebrated with gusto by the youngsters.
The florists and gift shop owners had a roaring business on these days and they were hoping that the Valentine’s Day would set their cash registers ringing but it appears that the weather god had different plans. The rain which started in the wee hours of Friday poured in for the whole day. MA Thakur a florist in Dharampur told The Pioneer that as compared with last year the business is down drastically, the simple rose stick which was sold for Rs 50 a day before was available for only Rs 20 to 30 on Valentine’s Day.
Many couples who had a planned a day out preferred to remain inside on the rainy day, Dinesh Negi a businessman living in Nehru Colony said that it was his first Valentine’s Day after his marriage and he had planed for an outing but the rain caused him to cancel it. But there were many who were not deterred by the rains and went ahead with their plans, many youths were seen buying gifts and flowers for their love ones despite the rains.