Sharing the Human Spirit through Friendship
The social aspect of human beings makes them look to connect with people. It all starts with knowing, getting acquainted, and then transitioning to becoming friends with some of them. The shared spirit of human solidarity takes many forms. The simplest of them is friendship. In 2011, the UN passed a resolution to observe 30 July as “The International Day of Friendship”. Friendship enhances understanding and develops tolerance. We can find common ground, even when we have differences. What it means being a friend can be different for different people. It is friendship day. Let us get connected. After all, friendship is something to remember and revive.
The International Day of Friendship is an important opportunity to confront the misunderstandings and distrust that underlie so many of the tensions and conflicts in today’s world. It is a reminder that human solidarity is essential to promoting lasting peace and fostering development. Â
 Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary General, UN
The social aspect of human beings makes them look to connect with people. It all starts with knowing, getting acquainted, and then transitioning to becoming friends with some of them. In life, there are many challenges and crises. As societies, we do see divisions. It could be poverty, violence, and abuse. The shared spirit of human solidarity takes many forms. The simplest of them is friendship. It leads to bonding, developing camaraderie and strong ties. All this results in developing trust.
In 2011, the UN passed a resolution to observe 30 July as “The International Day of Friendship”. It is the initiative of “International Day of Friendship” and UNESCO. The observation focuses on building bridges and enhancing peace efforts. It is a day to go beyond connecting people. It connects people from diverse cultures and societies.
There really is no reason for the world not to exist
in some harmonious form.
Though the International Day for Friendship is a UN observation, the friendship day is observed by some countries, like South America, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia, on different days, including in July, August, and April. Paraguay is the first country to celebrate Friendship Day in modern times. India celebrates Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.
Friendship enhances understanding and develops tolerance. We can find common ground, even when we have differences. What it means being a friend can be different for different people. So is the bond of friendship between two people. You would realise that people we have known for a long time may not be our friends. It also happens that a chance meeting at the airport or while travelling on a train can sow the seeds of friendship that blossom and remain with the people.
One’s innate emotions, sentiments and passions are aroused in friendship. The concept of friendship is dynamic, too. Researchers in the medical field indicate that the longevity of humans is enhanced when they have a close friendship network. With social media penetrating human lives, the number of people you may think of as friends has improved tremendously. So are the conflicts arising out of the content on social media. Â
Many people believe that observations like Friendship Day are driven by the commercial interests of the greeting card makers. Sending a card, which has become a thing of the past, sharing greetings has become one of the top-rated content in the WhatsApp communities.
As a country, India has been striving for friendship and peace. The message of “Panchsheel” reflects India’s commitment to a peaceful and friendly world order.
Picking up a few lines from Rabindranath Tagore’s words, Where words come from the depth of truth. That forms the basis for solid bonding between people.
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom…..     Â
 Rabindranath Tagore
It is friendship day. Let us get connected. There are friends with whom we would have spent long hours when we were young, so it is time to call them and reconnect. After all, friendship is something to remember and revive.
Friendship: Something to Remember
Toons: Advika and Anuhsa
Logs: M Sai Baba
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