Bhubaneswar: Valentine’s Day witnessed cheerful, incident-free celebrations across the city on Saturday, with couples, both young and elderly, heading out for dinners, café dates, long drives and quick weekend getaways.Popular restaurants in Patia, Saheed Nagar and Chandrasekharpur reported full tables from late afternoon, while cafés in Bapuji Nagar, Janpath and Master Canteen saw steady footfall until late evening.Despite the crowd, the day remained largely peaceful, with no reports of moral policing or harassment from any part of the city. Police said routine patrolling was conducted near parks, malls and café clusters but no untoward incident was reported.For many couples, the day was less about grand gestures and more about spending time together. “We didn’t want anything lavish, just coffee and a quiet conversation,” said Ritika Naik, a college student at a café in Chandrasekharpur with her partner.Restaurants and club owners said Valentine’s Day brought back a buzz after a relatively dry Jan. “We started getting bookings since Friday. Most couples preferred early dinners,” said Sarthak Das, manager of a popular restaurant near KIIT Square.The city’s growing café culture also played its part, with many youngsters choosing picturesque spots along the Infocity-Patia stretch. Several venues hosted live music and themed décor, prompting groups of friends to join the celebrations as well.“Valentine’s Day is not just about couples any more. We came as a group because it’s fun. We enjoyed good food, lovely music and, most importantly, got a reason to dress up,” said Priyanka Mohanty, an engineering student at Sailashree Vihar.Older couples, too, stepped out to make the most of the pleasant evening. “We are married for 30 years. Earlier, days like these weren’t celebrated this way but now we enjoy going out,” said Pradip Swain, who booked a dinner date at a Saheed Nagar restaurant.Clubs along Janpath and Patia hosted themed nights, drawing a mix of young professionals and students. Live music, DJs and discounts on the bills attracted couples. The owners also arranged extra security for a peaceful celebration.With no disruptions or confrontations, couples said the peaceful atmosphere made this year’s Valentine’s Day stand out. “Bhubaneswar always feels open and welcoming. We hope every year remains like this,” said Samrat Mishra, an IT professional.
