By Dr Kirti Shekhawat
One of the most frequently used words daily in the world is ‘friend,’ proving the importance of co-existence on earth. A toddler on the road to acquire cognitive and emotional skills simultaneously puts forward tiny steps to become social. Long before the idea of friendship develops in the mind, the toddler extends hands and smiles in response to an approaching stranger’s smile.
To the child exploring the social world, there is no distinction between living beings: to the child a dog, cat, birds and ants too are friends. The school going kid meets other kids and gradually gets initiated to the concept of friendship whereas for the teenager friendship is above all, some school friendships carry on till later in life.
‘Mitra’ in Indo-Iranian language means ‘that which causes to bind.’ In Sanskrit language ‘sakha’ means ‘friend’ while ‘mitra’ means ‘companion.’ In the post vedic age the meaning of ‘mitra’ changed to ‘friend.’
Writers, since time immemorial, have written about friendship in scriptures, poems and songs. Bards, musicians, poets have composed and sung laurels in praise of their patrons celebrating friendship. Innumerable films all over the world have touched upon the theme of friendship frequently.
In Hindu mythology, the God of Friendship, ‘Lord Mitra’ is mentioned in texts of the Vedic period in 14 th century BCE. A peace treaty between Hitties and the Hurrian kingdom of the Mitanni in the south east of Lake Van in Asia Minor in the 1400 BC is recorded as ‘Indo-Aryan Mitra.’
In the post-vedic era, tales in Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas have numerous examples of friendship. In these epics and tales various incidents are narrated that glorify friendship.
A few worth mentioning are the friendship bonds between Lord Krishna and Sudama, Lord Krishna and Draupadi, Lord Krishna and Arjun, Karan and Duryodhan, Shri Ram and Sugreev, Shri Ram and Hanuman, Laxman and Hanuman, Sita and Trijata and the list continues. Handed down to the generations through texts, the oral tradition also played a big role in the form of folk tales and granny stories. Lord Buddha called himself everyone’s ‘Kalyan Mitra.’ Many verses in the Bible and Quran are devoted to choosing a friend and experiencing God in a new way.
The seeds for a Global Friendship Day were sown in Puerto Pinasco by Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho, a physician and social activist, who believed that friendship was an important part of a happy and healthy life, that led to the formation of The World Friendship Crusade, along with his friends.
Joyce Hall, proposed Friendship Day in Paraguay in 1958. In 2011 the UN General Assembly proclaimed The International Friendship Day with an aim to foster deep and meaningful connections among people worldwide. Finally, the International Friendship Day came to be celebrated on the first Sunday of August - this year on 4th August with the theme of ‘Sharing The Human Spirit Through Friendship’ or ‘Celebrating Bonds Across Borders’ along with the aim ‘to foster deep and meaningful connection among people world wide. Encourages individuals to strengthen bonds of friendship, promoting unity and understanding across cultures and communities.’
Nearly all human beings are social by nature. Each one seeks advice, consolation, emotional solace, practical assistance not only at home but outside home from friends by sharing. These friends, crossing global boundaries are like angels who enrich life by ignoring cultural divides and build harmony to gain peace and unity. Friendship is valued even more in war torn regions where every affected citizen wishes that those in power could be friends.
Friendship is the strongest bond that two individuals can forge. In life’s journey many people cross paths but only a few stay as friends. Just as education stays forever, friends too stay forever. With the passage of time this bond of friendship becomes stronger, both accepting each other without judging. This association brings with it freedom to be yourself and the feeling of trust motivates one to do the right thing and be loyal to each other.
Parents become friends with their growing children. A marital relationship based on friendship lasts longer as it is based on love, care, selflessness, respect and communication. When life becomes a rough sea, it is the friend, the soul-mate who guides through the troubled waters by becoming a lighthouse, unwavering and steady.
Friendship is an unparalleled treasure box, an extended source of strength: it sustains you!
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(Dr Kirti Shekhawat has been a life-long academician, educationist, trainer, administrator, research guide before she turned a short-story writer post superannuation as principal of a college.)
