International Friendship Day
By Dr Birbal Jha*
It was 2011 when the United Nations General Assembly declared 30th July as the International Day of Friendship with the aim of inspiring peace efforts and building bridges between individuals and communities or countries.
International Friendship Day (IFD) reminds us of how important our friends are, what role they play in our lives, and who really are our friends. The aim of IFD is to foster and promote a culture of peace, harmony, brotherhood, sisterhood, and love towards each other for a livable society.
True friends encourage and motivate each other, listen to each other, and have good times together. In the trying times, a friend gives a shoulder to another. They share their emotions with each other. They support each other. Can we celebrate something alone? No, we can’t. We need the company of friends to accompany each other on occasions.
Also read: Why English cannot be ignored in India?
There is an old saying – a friend in need is a friend indeed. Moreover, your biggest enemy is never a stranger. Hence, beware of such crooks, confidence-tricksters, double-dealers or cons. They are as such around. Maintain caution while confiding in your so-called friends who may turn out to be your foes one day and will stab you in the back.
However, at times, there happens to be a communication gap, good friends realize such a thing and sort out any differences but never try to settle a score. Therefore I appeal to all to create an atmosphere of amity, not brutality.
*Dr. Birbal Jha is a noted author and social entrepreneur who imparts English training to students with the slogan ‘English for all’.
