Though July 30 is the official International Friendship Day (IFD), according to the United Nations, the majority of the countries across the world celebrate this day on the first Sunday in the month of August each year including the United States. Ritambhara tells us three facts about IFD. We, in Different Truths, wish Happy Friendship Day to one and all!

We, humans, are social creatures and the thought of a friendship triggers that million dollar smile on our faces. Friendship is the bond we share with our colleagues, relatives or even our pets. It’s a sort of relationship with no strings attached and is valued the most as having true friends unravels the complications of life making it easier and comfortable. True friends are always around even if you are going through a very rough phase of your life. Friendship isn’t just about jellying of people with similitudes, but it’s also about respecting discrepancies and friends accept each other, the way they are.

• How does the Day begin to be celebrated? 

In 1919, Hallmark founded Friendship Day by exchanging greeting cards, flowers, wrist bands, etc., but it lasted till 1940 as people took it as a way for promoting businesses, especially cards and flowers. The day was revived by United Nations, in 1998, by christening Winnie, the Pooh as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship and in 2011, it officially declared 30^th July as the International Friendship Day (IFD) and people across the world were invited to observe this day in accordance with their culture, customs and other appropriate circumstances for promoting peace and harmony.  All the governments, communities and organisations across the world are encouraged to hold activities, events, and initiatives that are instrumental in promoting solidarity, reconciliation and mutual understanding.

• UN Observance, not a Public Holiday 

The International Friendship Day (officially 30^th July) isn’t a public holiday. It is an observance by the United Nations with the aim to promote international understanding, build bridges between communities and respect for diversity. 

• How Different Nations Mark this Day 

The majority of the countries across the world celebrate this day on the first Sunday in the month of August each year including the United States. In Brazil and Argentina, Friend’s Day is observed on July 20 to meet and greet friends of all times. Valentine’s Day (14^th Feb) is celebrated as Friend’s Day in Finland and Estonia. In Paraguay, July 30^th is celebrated as Friend’s Day by exchanging gifts with the close friends and the loved ones and playing the traditional game of Invisible Friend (Amigo Invisible). Peru celebrates Friendship Day as “El Dia del Amigo” on the first Saturday in the month of July as proposed by Pilsen Callao to mark true friendship and make it distinct from the Valentine’s Day. 

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”  ~ Anaïs Nin

On this Friendship Day, let’s thank all our friends who have been with us through thick and thin and brought merriment in our lives.

Different Truths wishes Happy Friendship Day to one and all! 

©Ritambhara K Upadhyay

Photos from the Internet

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Ritambhara K Upadhyay

A Panjab University, IIT- Roorkee, and IIRS-ISRO alumnus, academician, and researcher, Ritambhara is a writer by choice. Her passion for reading and writing has impelled her to foray into the world of writing. As a freelance writer and editor, she loves to pen-down whatever comes to her mind. She staunchly believes, "Truth doesn't admit any impediments."

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