Nepal imports red roses from India for Valentine’s Day

AWARENESS RALLY: Nepalese volunteers preparing for HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases Awareness Rally on International Condom Day in Kathmandu yesterday. Hundreds of participants from various social, health and advocacy organisations took part in the rally in the Himalayan nation.

IANS/KathmanduNepal has imported 100,000 red roses - considered a symbol of love - from India for celebrating Valentine’s Day today, according to the Floriculture Association Nepal.The roses were imported as the local market could not meet the demand.“This year, we are importing roses worth Rs4mn from India for Valentine’s Day,” said Loknath Gaire, chairmanof the floriculture association.Social networking websites are abuzz with Valentine’s Day messages, while gift shops in Kathmandu and other cities have offered attractive packages targeting the youth.Last year, according to the association, the Nepali market consumed 150,000 roses on the occasion of Valentine’s Day. People in Kathmandu bought 95% of the total.However, due to rise in prices of flowers in India, Nepali importers are buying less this year.“We are paying Rs10 more for each rose than last year,” said Gaire.Last year, a rose cost around Rs70.Though there is good demand for flowers in Nepal, due to various reasons, production has not been able to meet the demand.Some places produce red roses, but the quality is not at par with the imported ones.