Come on, friendship day is special and we all can agree on this. Especially in India because it’s not just a friendship day! It’s a clever move day. It’s an excuse to approach your crush and dude getting friend-zoned it much better than getting bro-zoned because right after this comes Rakshabandhan. A Hindu festival, on which sisters of all ages tie a talisman, or amulet, called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.
I remember in my primary school, my gang was quite an OG. Hahaha, we felt really cool sporting those friendship bands. Also because it represented how many people had crushes on us. Hiding the bands from our teachers’ eyes was a real adventurous task. Every kiddo of my age cherish these memories but I won’t write more about friends and slip deep into nostalgia.
I want to write about friendship rather friends. The bond of pure love, honesty and respect. Think about it, any relationship can become more positive if the people of that relationship share the bond of friendship. Parents and their children come closer if parents agree to understand them like thier friends. Partners in a romantic relationship become more vocal and understanding if they are friends to each other, before being a better half. A student understands more, if she/he sees a friend in teacher. Of course, this doesn’t mean that a parent or teacher shouldn’t exercise their authority whenever required. They should because they are also a guide to their younger ones. The whole point is that both the people of relationship should be comfortable enough to put forward their views. They should be able to have an honest conversation. In India, being that comfortable with younger generation isn’t much in practice. That, somehow, results in awkwardness between them and everyone just tries to escape from that awkwardness. But once anyone breaks the ice, the reward is so fulfilling that no one would want to go back in previous place.
Amoung many other characteristics of being a good friend, one is to always have the back of each other and giving space for growth. Nothing only professionally but also emotionally/spiritually. Friends accept each other in each and every case along with being comfortable with pointing out or accepting criticism.
And I am grateful for having such good friends. They are not only good human beings but also always there to support me. You must be having some of those too, please protect them. Never repel them. Analyze their positive criticism and then decide if you really want to follow or not. Be open to them and also available to help them. Also keep a tap who is genuinely trying to be friends with you like your parents. Your one step towards them could mean world to them.
Vidisha 