Pokhara, February 13:

Youths thronging gift shops and scouring for Valentine’s Day cards evinces that Pokhareli youths are eager to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day.

Though the youths are enthusiastic about February 14 here, the owner of Archies’ Gift Gallery, Krishna Parajuli, is downbeat. The number of customers in his gallery has gone down significantly over the years, he said.

“Rumours of Nepal bandh have affected the sale of cards and other gifts,” Parajuli said. More than half the number of cards in his shop are for the Valentine’s Day, he added.