True friends are elusive these days!
It is aptly said that friends are the cornerstone of our life. But, fortunate are those people who get true friend, a friend in whom we seek comfort, who is close to our heart and always by our side in difficulty. Though difficult to trace such friends, history has witnessed such loyal people and thus to salute the friendship of such loyal friends ‘Friendship Day’ is celebrated globally on the first Sunday of every August.
These days, in the absence of true friends, people thus dedicate ‘Friendship Day’ with a pet animal or a book or a few music lovers listen to the radio and spend the day. Radio in the days of yore was a friend of many. It not only entertained, but was a treasure of information. But, with radio being replaced by mobile, today we have people being glued to their mobiles 24X7!
Though Friendship Day is a western concept it is celebrated in India, too. As friendship has no religion, no bias and no boundaries, hence it is a universal celebration. It is a noble bond as chaste as the bond between a child and his mother. A peek into ancient India reveals many tales of friendship that became a milestone in the annals of Indian civilization. Who can forget Bhagwan Ram helping his friend Sugriva to kill Vali and reinstating him on the throne? The immortal tale of Bhagwan Krishna and his friendship with poor friend Sudama is exemplary that friendship does not have the prejudice of rich and poor. Since millenium, till today, their friendship echoes in the universe and shall remain eternal.
Just as we take care of a garden and water it daily, in return it blossoms and spreads fragrance all around. Likewise, if we nurture friendship with loyalty and honesty then it develops into a bond that is strong and everlasting. But, alas, these days with life becoming fast and competitive, people have no time for friends. And,the lack of goods friends is a bad sign for society as these days there is a huge spike in suicide cases. Earlier, with friends around, people would meet them and pour out their problems. Many times friends would give valuable advice and this would solve problems. Some loyal friends would even come to our rescue when we faced a financial crisis or were broken in business. But alas, today, one does not need a foe to ruin our life.. our friends are enough to destroy us!
It is rightly said with changing times one has to pay a huge price for the wealth acquired! The Hindi film song aptly sums friendship
Daulat Aur jawani ek din kho jaati hain
Wealth and youth will go away one day
Sach kehta hoon sari duniya dushman ho jaati hai
I’m telling the truth, the whole world becomes your enemy
Umr bhar dost lekin saath chalte hain
But only friends walk with you for the entire life!
Home Times wishes its readers Happy Friendship Day.
