Young and not-so-young lovers across the country celebrated Valentine's Day, undeterred by protests in several places by Sangh Parivar outfits and radical groups that described it as a Western phenomenon which corrupted the youth.

Activists of the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, the students' wing of the Shiv Sena, beat up employees of two outlets dealing in car batteries in Pune for distributing greeting cards and roses. Members of the Sena, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal played spoilsport for couples romancing in public parks in Rajasthan and burnt stacks of cards and gifts. The Sena held protests in Punjab.

In Connaught Place, restaurants tried to score points by offering special discounts and even flowers and soft toys to lure lovers in.

There were helicopter rides for those who came up with the "wackiest way to propose" and Maharaja-style elephant rides for the love-struck who scribbled the mushiest messages on a ``love billboard'' at the city's Moolchand flyover.

In Mumbai, there was the usual buzz with bouquets and gifts exchanging hands. Even pets had it good, with an animal salon playing cupid to ``dog couples,'' offering them free aroma therapy sessions. Some youngsters sought to reinforce their love with gifts, flowers and jeweler, notwithstanding an opportunistic hike in their prices. In Chandigarh, the tight vigil by police and the soggy weather hit the celebrations. The Panjab University turned into a virtual fortress with two of its three entry gates remaining closed till late afternoon. Entry into the campus was allowed only after a thorough checking of students' identity cards.

The inclement weather, however, did not deter policemen, who were out in full strength across the city to prevent rowdyism. The strict arrangements made by police did not go down well with youngsters.

"The cops should not wield their stick on Valentine's Day. Law and order should be maintained as a routine. Why should all eyes remain focused on those who are celebrating the occasion? It spoils the fun," said Raghav, who was out with his friend Shweta. In Phagwara, Shiv Sena activists made a bonfire of Valentine's Day cards outside a cremation ground on Banga Road and shouted slogans.

Activists of the Shiv Sena, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and other groups organized protests at several places in Jaipur. In Jodhpur, they threatened to stop hotels and restaurants from organizing special events and also burnt gifts and cards in Kota, Udaipur and Bhilwara. -PTI