Friendship Day is a
celebration observed worldwide by all ages to honour the bond of friendship.
The history of commemoration of the occasion is interesting. The merrymaking of
Friendship Day started in the US in 1919, based on the idea put forward by Joyce
C. Hall, founder of Hallmark cards. The objective of the celebration was to
dedicate a day for the bond of friendship.
In 1920, celebration
of Friendship Day received intense criticism as it was believed more to be a
commercial publicity stunt by the greeting cards industry rather than
commemorating the bond of friendship. The criticism, however, effected the
celebration severely, and in 1940, the demand for Friendship Day greetings
cards declined significantly.
However, the essence
of the celebration drew much attention from people. As a result, the popularity
soon increased as more and more people are showing interest to the
occasion.
Although the idea of
Friendship Day started in 1919, the first World Friendship Day was proposed in
1958. But it is only on April 27, 2011 the General Assembly of the United
Nations officially declared July 30 as the International Friendship Day.
In 1998, to celebrate
the significance of Friendship Day, Nane Annan, wife of Secretary-General of
the United Nations Kofi Annan named Winnie, the Pooh as the world’s Ambassador
of Friendship.
In everyone's lives,
friends definitely have an important place and so Friendship Day celebrations
has gained substantial place in everyone's calendar. In India, people will celebrate
Friendship Day 2012 on August 5.
However, Friendship
Day is observed on different dates in different nations. People of several
countries, including India, celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of
August.
The celebration is
marked by sending or exchanging gifts and greetings cards to make their friends
feel special or express gratitude on the special day. Apart from exchanging
gifts, people find some other ways to observe and capture the essence of the
day.
In fact, preparation
to celebrate Friendship Day starts a few days ago. People on this occasion
raise a toast to attribute a day to their friends and celebrate the bond of
friendship.
To wish each other and
celebrate the occasion in a memorable way, people usually send unique and fancy
personalized friendship gifts, friendship greeting cards etc. that are designed
especially for Friendship Day.
Moreover, fancy and
colourful friendship bands are in trend as Friendship gifts. Besides gifts,
inspirational and funny Friendship Day quotes or Friendship Day SMS are also
popular mediums through which people convey their feelings and show affection
towards their pals on this special day.
Over the decades,
there is a shift in the celebration of Friendship with the easy accessibility
of social networking websites. People now stay connected with friends and send
Friendship Day wishes to mark the essence of the day.
Friendship Day 2012 is
an ideal occasion to strengthen the bond of friendship and cherish the
wonderful moments spent or enjoyed together.
Source:-The Times of
India
All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents of Posts, Odisha Circle Branch wishes lots of happiness on Friendship Day and always.
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