Neilh Gautam and Tribeni Phukan after winning the crowns. Picture by Biju Boro

Feb. 15: Lovers are preferring to SMS their way into their beloved’s hearts.

The number of SMS messages rose by a whopping 59 per cent as star-crossed lovers poured out their hearts through their mobile handsets on Valentine’s Day yesterday.

Reliance telecom circle head C.R. Deka said more than 35,000 messages were sent yesterday. This was an increase of more that 13,000 compared to those sent on a normal day. “Naturally, most of the messages had to deal with the Valentine’s Day,” he added.

The number of SMS was also the highest recorded on a Valentine’s Day since Reliance Telecom started service in the city.

“SMS is the most effective way to express your feelings,” Anubhav Thakur, a degree second year student in a city college, said. “One can also download picture messages,” he added. His girlfriend for five years, Anusuya said she was “floored” when she received five messages “one after another” in the morning. “It was crazy...but I loved it,” she added.

No wonder, the large number of SMS choked the lines and left many messages undelivered. Many complained of receiving yesterday’s messages today. Reliance officials, however, said the system could not bear the heavy rush of SMS messages. As of now, Reliance Telecom is the only cellular phone service provider in the city though Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to enter the market this month.

The city also witnessed a large number of Valentine’s Day bashes yesterday. Couples started thronging the special parties and events organised on the occasion since the morning.

The Trade Wings Management Institute organised a fashion show, Rendezvous 2004, in the District Library auditorium last evening with the theme “To Save Northeast from AIDS”. The colourful show was divided into four rounds — Colours of the Northeast, Chill Out, East or West India is the Best and Romantic Era. Some innovative creations of budding designers were displayed in the show. Neilh Gautam was crowned as Mr Rendezvous and Triveni Phukan Ms Rendezvous in the personality contest.

Another party at Hotel Ambarish had couples swaying to the music of Friends of Friends, a musical band. The participants were presented with gifts and free dinner.

Couples jived to the pulsating music of local disc jockey Rajdeep at a party at Hotel Brahmaputra, organised by Footprints. “I had a great romantic night out with my wife,” Rituraj Barman, an executive in a leading private sector company, said.

The Crest was the favourite haunt of youngsters. The club organised a party compered by DJ Tony from Mumbai. “It was the best haunt for me and my girlfriend to hang out,” Indrajit, a college student, said.

Yellow Submarine was another favourite retreat for the teenagers. The restaurant organised a non-stop Valentine’s Day party starting at 12.30 in the afternoon till 10.30 at night. The party saw local singers dishing out hit numbers one after another. DJ Bishnu and DJ Ice added spice to the celebrations with their psychedelic music.

Hip-hop and RnB were the flavour of the evening. Most of the DJs played this genre of music, a hot favourite among the youth.