TODAY -

What are friends for ?

Dr Sumedha Kushwaha *



"Friendship isn't a big thing, it's a million little things"
- Paulo Coelho

In this long journey of life invariably everyone passes through tough times. The daily grind and rut fatigues all alike. The lows in life teach you that with each good that happens, there is probability for a bad. But, it's very obvious and natural that during our happy times, we are so consumed with life that the thought of occurrence of anything sad is not even a remote possibility for us.

We flow in the moment, we joyfully pass over and don't even have time to probably even blink and think. It's all a starry night with unlimited possibilities. As a course of nature however, I guess with every beautiful relationship there is separation, with every drunk night there is a morning of hangover and with each success there is learning from failure.

Vice versa with all bad things, there are good things as well. It's a cycle, where you are constantly hopping on from one place to another. But it's the good that really attracts us and sadly the sad times become villain. In reality, the good times vanish off in moments but with bad times - each passing second is arduous and horrendous.

However, what I have understood is that this era of friends with benefits is over rated. I am a staunch believer in good and I have ample experience that when you need the most, you meet with just the right people who turn up out of nowhere. They appear as if emerging from earth just for a cause that only they can fulfil in your life and share your pain as if it's theirs.

They will be with you no matter what their personal circumstances are. You don't have to be equal in social standing or monetary worth or education or profession- You just need to open your heart. These people can be someone whom you might accidentally meet in a queue towards the airport check-in or someone you meet at the store or your friend's friends or a random social media follower.

But, they have a cause to fulfil in your life. They alleviate your suffering for that moment of time. They are with you as if God sent. While your inner self knows that you are broke and shattered, however, while spending time with these people you just seem to forget all your sorrows. You are happy, joyous, normal, cheerful.

Sometimes, if these relationships last, these people become your strongest confidants, who shall stand by you no matter what and then probably leave. A lot of folks complain, but that friend never kept in touch, I guess because his/her purpose in life is over. Remember the good times, remember the times when you stood with each other, remember the time when you were with each other for good.

Friends are the best assets you can have. If you have even one person with whom you can just speak what you want, just be how you are, not fake and laugh with your tonsils lunging out, cry with your mascara all on your face, complain about life and crib and be un-understandable- believe me you are lucky! There are very few people like these. With everyone else, we are usually putting up a face.

Cherish these people and these relationships, keep them safe and unadulterated. It might take effort to keep these alive, but it's all worth the effort. There might be times when you people might part due to distance or fights or any other trivial issues. But, try your best to bring your friend back, do not be caught in the ego of who is right or wrong.

Just make a 100% effort to bring them back in life, punch them afterwards and seek it out. Because once this bond breaks or you are disconnected at the level of heart due to petty ego issues, it's a loss for both parties. Friendship is honestly the best relationship which values sometimes more than family bonds, marriage, love etc.

I think we all have listened and believed very blind eyed to the fact that the world is a bad place, people are mean, everyone becomes friends to take advantage. I guess partly that is all true. But people do have a purpose when they appear and hang around in your life, even as trivial as to make you laugh and similarly, you have a mission in other people's lives as well.

Let's start being a little more compassionate and being around with people more without an expectation or a favor in return. Today is Sunday, you have all the time in the world- Pick up your phone and call up some old or new friend without any motive and catch up with them but on this phone call- Try to listen!

"The only way to have a friend is to be one"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson


* Dr Sumedha Kushwaha wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer can be contacted at thoughtsredcaprigal(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on December 26 2020.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #7: Download
  • Violence in Manipur 2023 :: News Timeline
  • Is ST reservation a real issue for Manipur crisis
  • World Bamboo Day @Patsoi #3 : Gallery
  • Aribam Kumar: Writer of the Year Award
  • Condemnation of murder of two students
  • The pain behind her silent tears :: Poem
  • Meeting of Interfaith Forum at Guwahati
  • Solidarity Demonstration @Seoul : Gallery
  • October Calendar for Year 2023 : Tools
  • Manipur crisis & popular sentiment
  • Solidarity Demonstration on Manipur at Korea
  • Traumatic experiences: Kuki-Meitei clash #2
  • Students reach out to Historical sites
  • ADBU MoUs with Taiwan Universities
  • Knowing the ground reality
  • The writing on the wall
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #3: Gallery
  • Naorem Roshibina: Silver, 19th Asian Games
  • Sit-in at United Nations in Geneva
  • FRA imbroglio in Manipur
  • Who feels brunt of Inept leadership
  • Cancer Awareness at Education (S), Imphal
  • Condemn brutal murder of innocent student
  • Kongthong, Meghalaya: Best Tourism Village
  • Time for Imphal to set the agenda
  • A diversionary war tactic & a bigger question
  • Protest- murder of students #2 : Gallery
  • Silent Prayer demanding Justice : Gallery
  • Candlelight Vigil demanding Justice
  • Demands Justice for Murdered Meitei
  • CMESS to Moirang College Relief Camp
  • A decade for youth to make India #2
  • Nagaland to get first 5-star properties
  • Murder most foul
  • Not the time for CM to waste on trailers
  • Protest- murder of students #1 : Gallery
  • Demand Justice for Hemjit & Linthoingambi
  • Karkinos: Top Honours at Arogya Manthan
  • NEIMUN 2023: Youth Leadership Conference
  • Brucellosis : zoonotic bacterial disease
  • State presidents for Nagaland & Meghalaya
  • Fixing responsible for the murder
  • Need of the hour: Bilateral disarmament
  • Protesters & SF @Kwakta #2: Gallery
  • Marina by Night
  • Seminar at "Oriental Theological College"
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Vote for me or my wife
  • Sohra International Half Marathon
  • State failure vis-a-vis ethnic cleansing
  • The blockade on the road to peace
  • World Bamboo Day @Patsoi #1: Gallery
  • The Meitei Nupi :: Poem
  • Traumatic experiences: Kuki-Meitei clash #1
  • Tifo unveiled during NE United game
  • Sign languages as Career
  • Torbung on May 3: Where it all started
  • The danger of Zalengam dream
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #6: Download
  • Conflict in Manipur: Summary of issues
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #5
  • Get to know more about Canine Distemper
  • The Power of Poppy - 3 :: Poem
  • Why Is Manipur Burning ?
  • Condemns Biased UN Side Event
  • Inpui Baptist Church celebrated Decadal
  • When the public relations fail #2
  • A decade for youth to make India #1
  • Tell the story to the outside world
  • Misleading the House of Commons
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #2: Gallery
  • Village Volunteers: Protectors of the Nation
  • World Bamboo Day Painting Comp. results
  • Voluntary Blood Donation Camp
  • Improved potato varieties suited to Manipur
  • Autumn hair care: Tips for healthier hair
  • Manipur cannot go on like this
  • Shifting the theatre of war to Geneva
  • 1958: Kuki Chiefs' Memo to Union HM
  • Never too early never too late
  • Celebrities' approaches to Mental Health
  • International Day of Peace
  • Litter box training for cats
  • Trek leaders training programme
  • An indifferent Delhi
  • A good move with bad intention
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #2: Gallery
  • Before the inflection point in our society !
  • Whither Naga Peace? Spl session of Parl
  • Lumpy Skin Disease
  • In total chaos since May 3 evening
  • Clutching at straws by drowning man
  • Winter Relief @ Mayang Imphal : Gallery
  • World Bamboo Day at Chandigarh
  • Will leaders walk the talk to end TB at UN
  • When the public relations fail #1
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #4
  • Reimpose AFSPA call
  • Lesson to be learnt from SAFF boys
  • Breaches of International Humanitarian Law
  • Do we have a Government!
  • 'Birthday boy' glows, critics wonder...
  • Two Murals from Two Corners
  • Sir, a birthday treat for us
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #1: Gallery
  • Student Council: Pillars of Governance
  • World Ozone Day observed at Imphal
  • Col N Hemachandra: Brigadier in Army
  • The Power of Poppy - 2 :: Poem
  • Manipur Crisis: You can bring Delhi to Imphal
  • Manipuri Kokyet finds space in Parliament
  • Relief materials at Moirang, Thoubal
  • Armed Forces' role in Manipur under scrutiny
  • India elevated G20 as 'premier forum'
  • 'Solution first, peace later' slogan
  • Hoping against hope
  • Candle light vigil @ Kangla #2: Gallery
  • DMCC met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
  • The existential crisis - The Reality
  • Seriousness of legal proceedings
  • Role of Governor in summoning Assembly #2
  • One-sided reports vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Death of a Sub-inspector
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra : Download
  • Dr Marjit: Academic Award at Malaysia
  • Interreligious Appeal to end violence
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #3
  • Manipur Special Youth Assembly Session
  • From new districts to separate State
  • Looking for ally, desperately
  • Protesters & SF @Kwakta #1: Gallery
  • An Open Letter to President Joe Biden
  • Elephants in a Seed
  • Switzerland of India become a love lost State
  • Restoration of mining affected areas
  • Why did Army invite EGI : CJI
  • EGI invited by Army for objective assessment!
  • Note on Kuki-Hmar Trouble [1960]
  • Sober Thoughts
  • Weaving Looms presented at Relief Camp
  • A compassionate relief & cash payment
  • Sisters and brothers :: Poem
  • Coming to the negotiating table
  • The way forward
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #1: Gallery
  • Romi Meitei : Best director @Kazan film fest
  • Success of Rahmani30 in Manipur NEET-UG
  • Modi, Biren, Shah exposes tragic series
  • Bharat is older than India
  • Mega Health Camp & Skill Development
  • Demand for ST tag by Meiteis
  • Internationalising the Kuki-Meitei conflict
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #5: Download
  • Creating Hope Through Action
  • Ningthoujam Binoy: National Teachers' Award
  • The Power of Poppy - 1 :: Poem
  • Role of Governor in summoning Assembly #1
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #2
  • Darkest Era of Meiteis
  • Robert Memorial Internship Awarded
  • Churachandpur Meiteis at the crossroads
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #3
  • Meeting of Meitei Club, Burari
  • G20 call to action in agriculture
  • Silent on the remains at CCpur
  • The resolution to unite all CSOs
  • Rebuttal: EGI Fact-finding Mission Report
  • S Tiken (Thang-Ta) Fellowhsip Award
  • Manipuri or Meitei ?
  • Relief Distribution at Wakhong Pukao
  • Human-centric globalisation : Taking G20
  • Cancer Screening at SP Office, Imphal
  • Doing a disservice to Kuki-Chin cause
  • Epidemic threat at relief centres
  • The Chothes of Manipur
  • Communalism; A Dangerous Ism
  • Condemns the incident at Chalwa
  • Unity - need of the hour
  • International Day of Police Cooperation
  • 5,000 Scholarships for 1st year undergrad
  • Classic case of victimising the victims
  • 11 years in service and raring to go
  • Relief Work - August 2023 : Gallery
  • Krishna Leela
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #1
  • Cancer Awareness at Imphal East
  • Training on cultivation of mushroom
  • Illegal immigrants & Manipur violence
  • Missing fact in EGI's fact-finding report
  • Is govt inviting a 3rd Nupi Lal ?
  • The Chieftaindom of Kukis
  • The role of teachers in society
  • Condolence Message
  • Framework for the future of work
  • Understanding Manipur crisis in four days!
  • The case of 'Meitei media'
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #2
  • Winter Relief Services commenced
  • Special Session of Parliament
  • Advantage of simultaneous election in India
  • Fake Finding Committee ?
  • Poisoning the mind of Kuki-Chin people
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra #4 : Book
  • Organic links between C3C & Manipur conflict
  • Entrepreneur set to introduce first Tea Wine
  • Remedies to reduce hair growth on upper lip
  • Rally against Narco-Terrorism #3 : Gallery
  • On ethnic Nationalism & exclusive domains
  • Stay vigilant on Employment Offers
  • Waterways development in NE India
  • Condemn accusations on Pangal
  • Violence doesn't bring lasting solution #2
  • Feeding lies and more lies
  • Blame it on CSOs
  • Climate Change & flawed solution in Manipur
  • 92th Martyrdom Day of Haipou Jadonang
  • Change the minds, Peace is possible anytime
  • Who is running Nagaland Govt ?
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #1
  • Manipur Distress Relief Work : August
  • Playing heroes on social media
  • Yes, it's time for a public assembly
  • Haipou Jadonang Martyrdom Day
  • Statement of Thadou Students' Assn
  • Land of jewel trapped under conspiracies #4
  • Health Awareness Programme at MU
  • Manipur- 13 medals at Junior National Judo
  • Where have the guns come from ?
  • The curious case of 10 Kuki MLAs
  • Candle light vigil @ Kangla #1: Gallery
  • Restoring peace - The talk of the town
  • National Sports Day 2023
  • Rethinking caste-based reservations in India
  • Why computer studies is gaining popularity
  • Cold bucket of water after a hot shower
  • Committing a crime to avoid a crisis
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra #3 : Book
  • Patriots' Day @ Kangla: Gallery
  • Protesters with Army [Aug 03] #3 : Gallery
  • Indigenous Wrestling @ Purul : Gallery
  • Patriots' Day @ Thangal Temple: Gallery
  • Maram folklore & Meitei connection
  • 'Remove Assam Rifles' [Aug 07] #2 : Gallery
  • Patriots' Day @ Hicham Yaicham : Gallery
  • Model of Spelling-bee Competition
  • Patriots' Day @ New Delhi : Gallery
  • Rally against Narco-Terrorism #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2023 #3: Gallery
  • HSLC 2023 :: Top 25 Rank Holders
  • HSLC 2023 :: Subject Topper
  • HSLC 2023 :: Full Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Compartmental Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Science
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Arts
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Commerce
  • From May 3, 1993 to the present
  • COVID-19 : Impact in Manipur :: News Timeline
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar for 2023