The bond of friendship is a rare thing to find but once found, it lasts a lifetime. The first Sunday of August is always observed as Friendship Day and for many, this day is a celebration of that bond. School children still look forward to it with great enthusiasm.
From buying friendship bands, greeting cards to even heading out as a gang, the plans are endless.
But for many people, the day becomes nothing but an excuse to just head out with their buddies. In all of this, what has not changed is the true essence of friendship.
Vedika Hegde, a first-year science student, recollects how during her school days, there used to be an unsaid competition between classmates on who had the most number of friendship bands. "But as years passed, the day had almost no importance to us because we began valuing our friends so much that everyday became a 'Friendship Day'," she adds.
The friendship band has become synonymous with this day. Markets are filled with all kinds of friendship bands to suit different budgets and tastes.
Many youngsters take great care in getting the right band for their friends and those who receive them, end up cherishing them forever.
"The band is like a bond between two friends. In a way, you are appreciating the other person in your life. That's why I take care to buy the right kind of friendship band," says Sweekruth Kartik, an engineering student. Interestingly, there are also many beliefs surrounding the friendship band itself.
"It is an old belief that one should not remove the friendship band as it will lead to the end of friendship. One has to let the friendship band fall off naturally. But now things have changed. The band is bought with an intention to celebrate the day but ends up being just another fashion accessory to flaunt on Friendship Day," says Shriya, a student.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to friendship and what the term actually means to today's generation. Is it just about the number of people on one's Facebook account or is there more to it?
For Samiksha Jalan, a mass communication student, friendship is that bond that can be shared with just those people who one can connect with.
"It's about being who you are without any pretence. Yes, there comes a time when we all got through the 'friendship band' phase, but one must remember that there is more to a relation than just a single card or a band," she sums up.
From buying friendship bands, greeting cards to even heading out as a gang, the plans are endless.
But for many people, the day becomes nothing but an excuse to just head out with their buddies. In all of this, what has not changed is the true essence of friendship.
Vedika Hegde, a first-year science student, recollects how during her school days, there used to be an unsaid competition between classmates on who had the most number of friendship bands. "But as years passed, the day had almost no importance to us because we began valuing our friends so much that everyday became a 'Friendship Day'," she adds.
The friendship band has become synonymous with this day. Markets are filled with all kinds of friendship bands to suit different budgets and tastes.
Many youngsters take great care in getting the right band for their friends and those who receive them, end up cherishing them forever.
"The band is like a bond between two friends. In a way, you are appreciating the other person in your life. That's why I take care to buy the right kind of friendship band," says Sweekruth Kartik, an engineering student. Interestingly, there are also many beliefs surrounding the friendship band itself.
"It is an old belief that one should not remove the friendship band as it will lead to the end of friendship. One has to let the friendship band fall off naturally. But now things have changed. The band is bought with an intention to celebrate the day but ends up being just another fashion accessory to flaunt on Friendship Day," says Shriya, a student.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to friendship and what the term actually means to today's generation. Is it just about the number of people on one's Facebook account or is there more to it?
For Samiksha Jalan, a mass communication student, friendship is that bond that can be shared with just those people who one can connect with.
"It's about being who you are without any pretence. Yes, there comes a time when we all got through the 'friendship band' phase, but one must remember that there is more to a relation than just a single card or a band," she sums up.