Has Friendship Day lost its charm?

Friendship Day is an occasion that everyone might have looked forward to in their younger days, be it in school or college. It is during the day that girls and boys exchanged colourful friendship bands and greeting cards. But has that excitement died down with this tech-savvy generation? We talk to a few students about their thoughts on Friendship Day, which is on August 5, and how they celebrate it.
Writing letters will be unique in today’s time: Priya George, St Teresa’s College, Kochi
Just like Valentine’s Day and a few others, I think friendship too should not be reduced to celebrating it only on a particular day.But, if you do it, the best way would be to organise get-togethers, have sumptuous food and above all, spend quality time with friends. In our daily lives, we take our friends’ help in every step, and this day can be better used to express what they mean to us. On a personal note, I would like to write letters to my best friend because that has become so rare these days and it would definitely be treasured. Through the letter, keeping in mind the umpteen things she has done for me, I would thank her for being there for me and acknowledge all her efforts to help me.

Remembering old friends will make them feel special: Ridhiya Carol Paramel, Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies, Kochi
Rather than giving greeting cards or tying a friendship band on Friendship Day, I would prefer to spend quality time with my friends. I also feel that it’s important to walk down memory lane and remember the good companions from each phase of our lives, from high school to college. It’s good to reminisce about those friends who have not been in touch with you, by wishing them and telling them how you still cherish each of them for their kind gestures. This would be the best way to celebrate Friendship Day in all its essence and could also pave way to rekindle old relationships. If you do not wish or give gifts to your current friends, it might not matter to them as long as you are always with them. But when you put such an effort for your long-lost friends, it makes them feel really special and triggers a lot of positivity.

Most youngsters find it absurd to celebrate friendship just for A day: PJ Sam Alex, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
In my opinion, the concept of Friendship Day has been an extension of the popular culture. In this era of technology, friendships like any social relationship have become more fragile, and yet people seem to enjoy warm friendships in colleges. While social media has narrowed the gap between friends living in different places, it has increased the distance between those nearby. Unfortunately, we fail to connect with those who are near us and that is the biggest letdown of social media. When compared to the insightful discourses in the past, the discussions now are a lot different, but it has also become more straightforward. Male-female friendships have been evolving because of which we have been able to openly talk about issues that we face. As for celebrating Friendship Day, many youngsters feel that it is really absurd to observe companionship and bonding for just a day. They value their friendships and let their peers know that as well.

This friendship day, I will fondly and proudly remember Abhimanyu for the friend he was: Jibin Payyannur, Maharaja’s College, Kochi
Though the intensity of friendships remains the same, how the bonds are formed has changed. Given that the academic year of most students is so tightly packed, in order to foster camaraderie, we have to rely to social media to a great extent. Friendship bands and greeting cards are no longer seen as something you must exchange. Now, feelings are expressed more in the form of status, story and video on social networking platforms. As the saying goes, sadness and happiness are on the same plane and sharing both plays a crucial role in human relationships. It is the same for friendships too. The more you share sadness, the less gloomy you will be and the more you share happiness, the more joyous you become. This Friendship Day, I will fondly and proudly remember Abhimanyu, who left the world at such an early age. Though there has always been skirmishes within the college, it never lasted long. When he died, everyone was deeply affected, and we are still struggling to come to terms with what happened. Despite him being in the college for only a year, the magnitude of people who grieved for him is proof of the good friend he was and the hearts he had touched. What makes him worth remembering was how within a short span of time he was able to forge deep friendships. He can be called the epitome of friendship.