You’re lucky if you have true and selfless friends

It was Friendship Day on August 7. It is a day when everyone celebrates friendship. While some partied and posed for selfies, some got together for meals, exchanged presents and flowers to share their happiness. Not just kids, the youth, adults and elderly, too, took part in the merrymaking. Two events made me realise the true meaning of friendship.

The first was my friend’s small gesture of taking time out to extend support every time I get behind the wheel, that’s when I go for my driving lessons. She makes time despite her household chores, and that means a lot to me.

Especially because having failed to develop confidence to drive even after several attempts, it gives me the hope of overcoming my fears.

What counts is her patience and encouragement. There are times when I give up but she, like a mother, helps me confront my fears and inhibitions, making me powerful enough to overcome just about anything.

She has nothing to gain in this. In fact, it’s me who will benefit from it and gain a skill for life. Her efforts are an example of true and selfless friendship.

The second — of celebrating togetherness — comes from my father’s life.

At the age of 65, he and his schoolmates have accepted technology so beautifully that they managed to get back in touch after almost 45 years.

They successfully organised a reunion on Friendship Day; it was a big hit with 90% attendance and they travelled all over India to catch up with each other.

What an experience it must have been for them.

It is something we can’t even imagine. This makes me believe that friendship truly is far beyond what we think it to be.

(Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal.)