Poonam Jadhav is a western suburban teen, who finds the concept one that ‘binds friends together in the true spirit of friendship’. “It is like expressing the feeling of friendship in multi-coloured strands, and each strand that makes up the Friendship Band expresses different reasons why that friend is ‘so special’,” she says. “You don’t tie a Friendship Band to just about any acquaintance or ordinary friend, it has to be a special friend – mostly, your ‘best friend’ - else the importance of the gesture will be lost,” she feels. Friendship is a beautiful sentiment, and friends share a lot of experiences together. On the first Sunday of August, true friends express their sentiments with Friendship Bands – a bracelet which is a symbol of what makes a friend so much ‘special’.
Bandraite Andrew D’souza finds the warp and weft of the Friendship Band representing the ‘feeling of true friendship’. He sees the Friendship Band as an extremely popular and ‘unique’ gift, symbolizing the day and the sentiment it expresses. “It can be a friendship bracelet, or as friendship band. I prefer the band as use of different types of knots and weaves in crafting it has the distinct stamp of the creator’s style – if you have a handmade one, it ends up being the best expression of a lovely sentiment,” he adds.
Friendship Bands are the most popular items for exchanging and gifting to friends, says Chembur resident Narayan Shetty. “There are many varieties to choose from, but one of the most desired one is a handmade band. These bands can be made by using multi coloured embroidery threads and various types of knots and stitches can be used in creating this. The number of threads used can range from two to almost forty and numerous patterns can be made according to your preference,” he adds.
The different knots used in creating the Friendship Band have a significant importance. “It is believed that these knots denote an eternal bond between two people which cannot be broken and will endure the test of time,” says teen Rajesh Mayekar.
He lists a few beliefs associated with these ‘Friendship Bands’ – the first important belief is that if you wish for something while it is being tied, it will come true when the band wears off and falls on its own. The second one implies that if a person takes off the band without waiting for it to wear out, the friendship will take a bitter turn and you may lose that friend, he adds.
Nivedita Sanghvi says the Friendship Band is certainly not for any and every ‘friend’. “It has to be a special friend, someone who really makes a difference to your life,” she feels. If these two make one feel Gen-Y doesn’t take friendship so casually, lets’ ask Ajay Mane, who is a S.Y.J.C. student about the same. “I guess it is only the one you think of as your ‘best friend’ for whom one would think of tying a Friendship Band, not the normal, average friends who may be casual acquaintances or persons you keep in touch with because you study in the same institution or travel by the same bus or train on a regular basis. It has to be a friendship that has survived the test of time, and only such friendships should be ‘honoured’ in form of the Friendship Band,” he adds.
It isn’t just about ‘expressing’ the thought of friendship, it should evolve from a long-standing friendship, says Thaneite Shubham Malhotra. “Someone who’s been with me through school and college, and still stands by me when I have problems is someone I should honour by tying a Friendship Band. Not someone I want to ‘impress’ or someone I want to ‘get closer’ to – there’s Rose Day for such sentiments,” he says, tongue firmly in cheek.Priyanka Dhawan, Brand Manager of ‘Press2’ says the Friendship Band is fine – but being together and spending quality time together – and not necessarily only on Friendship Day – would be a preferred option.
Joan Rodrigues, a resident of Borivli’s I C Colony says it is ‘a nice sentiment’ to express one’s friendship for someone special by means of a card or gifting something or sharing a bracelet – but it isn’t mandatory. “With my best friend, I do not really need to tie a band – and not just on this one day, simply to express the feeling that he/ she is my best friend. You are always there for your best friend, and the converse is true as well. Tying the Friendship Band is a nice gesture, and is more like declaring in public that someone is your ‘best friend’ – but the Friendship Band is not always necessarily the best way of expressing the feelings you have for someone who’s your ‘Best Friend’.”
For Gen-Y, the Friendship Bracelet is a true symbol of love and a wonderful gift to strengthen friendship – will you be tying one to your best friend?
They add life to a gloomy day, they make every outing worth the time and make each problem seem like a piece of calk, simply with their presence. We may love them or crib about them, but there’s no doubting the fact that friends truly add immense meaning to everyone’s life.
And though every friend is special in his own way, he can still be categorized into one of the following categories. Where does your best friend belong?
THE TALKATIVE FRIEND: When you’re bored and in search of some entertainment, these friends are the best to give a ring to. Even if there is nothing exciting going on in their lives, they still have something to talk about. And what’s more, is that they can make every conversation seem interesting.Talkative friends are most often the life of a group and always keep the spirits high.They can pep you up in minutes with their liveliness and always have gossip to provide.
However, if you’re in the mood to do the talking or in search of advice, you’d better not call them. It’s unlikely that they’ll give you any chance to speak.
I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU An ideal friend in every sort, such friends are always there for you whenever need
be.They consciously work towards their friendship and deal every friend’s problem as their own.They won’t just give you advice over the phone or merely express sympathy, but they will deal with your problem along with you, until you are through it.
These are the friends you do the maximum talking with, but when you are in need; they require no words to understand what you are going through. A friendship with such a person is truly worth cherishing.
THE CRIBBER Remember that famous dialogue from Jaane tu ya jaane na – Rotlu ro mat? Well yes, every group has one of those. Haven’t we all had friends who cannot pass a day without cribbing? Either their work is too hectic, or their relatives are annoying or they hate their boss or maybe they have no time for family. But somehow they always have ample time to crib. In fact even if you call them to express your joy, their sulking will remind you of your own problems.
THE PHONE FRIEND You grow up, you start working, you have your own family and you part ways, but thanks to technology friends still remain friends! Many times our hectic schedule doesn’t permit us to meet our pals often, but we still can’t end a day without hearing their voice, can we? Phone buddies need not meet for years together but are still abreast with each other’s lives.
The beauty of this relation is how simply they understand your emotions with your voice.They can easily tell you when you sound glad or glum.
THE ADVISER Have a problem? Call Mr. Adviser.These agony aunts/uncles are the first to give you an advice on any issue. And what’s more is that they sound like know it all! These friends are so good with their words that they seem to have the key to every lock. In fact they are so convincing with their tone that they can easily put you to peace, even if they have the slightest idea of what really your issue is.These friends are great to instil a positive attitude within yourself.
As much as we categorize our friends, we know that each of them is special in their own way. Guess that’s what makes them each one so lovable.
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