I'm sure that many of you will have heard the song by the famous American singer Dionne Warwick - "…Keep smiling…keep shining…that's what friends are for…" This is a song about friends and friendship, for it is truly a hallowed and revered institution since time immemorial.

Friendship reminds us of all the people that are near and dear in many ways. For many of us, it is difficult to describe feelings about friendship. This is because as humans, we are naturally accustomed to have friends since infancy and childhood. Many of us tend to think about friendship in a spiritual dimension and count of friendship as a divine gift. If we think deeply, most of us will realize that friendship is an imperative and fundamental cornerstone of humanity.

Of all the people that we value in our lifetime, friends are the closest and most adorable of all. Friends truly are those who value us deeply and understand us to the core. They spend their time thinking about us and helping us in thoughts, needs and deeds. For this very reason, it is often said that a friend in need is a friend in deed. They guide us in our decisions and provide us with strength and courage to face the world and its many tribulations.

Friends help us overcome obstacles in life with their constant companionship and camaraderie. Friends protect us from harm and provide us with warmth, affection, fondness, and constant company. Friends provide comfort and solace whenever we are away from our family. There are times when we feel broken and lonely. It is exactly at this time when we realize how important friends are to us. At times we feel closed to the world and in desperate need of support and understanding. Friends reach out to us and provide us with compassion and kindness.

In fact, it is mostly because of the kind-heartedness and thoughtfulness of friends that we regain our lost directions in life. It is through their very benevolence and goodwill that we feel secure protected from harm. In fact, there's so much to friendship that there's a special day set aside to it. Called Friendship Day, it is a special day celebrated to commemorate friendship and honour this age old institution.

In the United States, Friendship Day is celebrated on the first day of August of every year. This tradition is in vogue since 1935, when the U.S Congress dedicated this day to honour the special meaning of friendship. In 1997, the United Nations declared the famous cartoon character Winnie the Pooh as the official Ambassador of Friendship Day.

Since then, many countries internationally have started celebrating Friendship Day. This occasion is now celebrated in India too. Various countries celebrate Friendship Day in a variety of ways. For example, National Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August, Women's Friendship Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in September, International Friendship month is celebrated in February, while New Friends week is celebrated in the month of May. People generally express their feelings with each other about friendships day by exchanging gifts. Folks send gifts, cards and flowers to their friends in order to express how deeply they value each other's friendship.

There are many popular ways in which we can express our sentiments and emotions on Friendship Day. Friendship bands are a very popular gift among friends. These come in attractive designs. Generally, these are appreciated by people of the younger generation. Flowers are yet another way of conveying our feelings on Friendship's day. Attractive show pieces are also extremely fashionable as Friendship Day Gifts. The same can be said about decorative pieces also. Young boys and girls often choose a variety of chocolates to express their emotions for their friends. Soft toys are also another novel way of expressing our warmth and affection for our friends. Other notable items include books, music cassettes, CDs, and a variety of stationary items.

Friends appreciate and like friends the most. Material gifts are just a way of expressing the idea that as friends we need each other and appreciate their company for a life time.

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