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Say it with flowers this Valentine's Day

City shops, mobile firms, entertainment centres plan big this year

CITY CORRESPONDENT
Will you be my Valentine? A red rose does the trick. No hartals, strikes or political unrest could stop their hearts singing. It is February 14 -- Valentine's Day -today. Young couples have already spent sleepless nights deciding on what gift he or she should give his/her valentine or where and how they should spend the day.
A few companies, shops, mobile operators, cafes and gift shops have come up with promotional offers to help put to rest these young minds and has been going on for a week before the day and will continue for a day or two later.
With the first day of spring heralding Valentine's Day, youth will continue to be in the celebrating and romancing spirit to their hearts' content.
What is Valentine's Day all about? The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint, Sr. Valentine is shrouded in mystery. One story says that Valentine was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II decree to outlaw marriage for young men, because they made better soldiers if they had no wife and children, secretly continues to perform marriages for lovers and was martyred for his action.
Another story says that Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself, while in prison, to a young girl he fell in love with, who may have been his jailor's daughter. Valentine had written a letter to this girl before his death signing it "from your Valentine", an expression that is still in use today.
Whatever the legends are, today's lovers celebrate the day with exchange of gifts, flowers and candies.
Adding to the beauty of presenting your loved one with a rose are the greetings cards put out by famous shops Archies and Hallmark who are selling cards and gift items at discounted prices.
Citycell, one of the leading mobile operators organised, for the first time in Bangladesh, a "Heart 2 Heart" contest, involving the short messaging system (SMS), which has gained wide popularity.
"Though the company will reap profits out of the contest, most
young lovers will participate to try out something new," said a Citycell subscriber.
Aktel, another mobile operator has also initiated its own SMS contest.
Some cafes and restaurants are offering discounts and special events this Valentine's Day. A&W All American Food, Cafe Insomnia and lots of other fast food outlets have already put their offers on the board. Cafe Insomnia, a part of the bookstore Words & Pages, has arranged a range of special musical shows for the week February 10-15.
"Crowds have been quite satisfactory in the last few days,
and we are optimistic that numbers will double on the 14th evening," said Edward Milton, Store Operations Manager, Words & Pages.
Companies like Philips are offering special discounts of five and 10 percent on electronic items as a part of the celebrations. Couples, buying electronic goods from any of the stores of these companies on Valentine's Day, will receive complimentary gifts as well.
Star Cineplex offered a free ticket with every ticket purchased for any show from February 11 to 15. Other attractive prizes are waiting to be won.
Such contests and promotional features are receiving mixed responses from the mass of the city-dwellers. Youths love the special discounts, events, complimentary gifts, while the older generation hesitantly looks on the entire celebration. However, they should remember that valentines and greetings are sent not only to lovers but to the loved ones as well.
"Despite the hartal, most couples will certainly go to the cafes and restaurants which are arranging special musical events even if it is a substitute for candlelit dinners, " said Irene Gomes, a student.
Most couples dread this Valentine's Day's celebration will be spoilt because of the 36-hour hartal called from 6 am today.
But with the weeklong offers, couples are planning, in case they miss out the 14, to celebrate the occasion on February 15.
"No-one will want to miss celebrations on Valentine's Day and couples will make suitable arrangements as nothing can stop them from expressing their love to each other, especially on Valentine's Day," said Sultan Mahmud, a student from Mirpur.