Friendship Day: Many miss face-to-face fun

PATNA: In the time of pandemic, many residents have developed friendship with their next-door neighbours while providing essentials to the sick, having a long chit-chat and playing games from their balconies to beat the lockdown blues.
For kids and youngsters, virtual chats, gifts and cards helped them express fondness for their buddies on the Friendship Day on Sunday.Many kids tied the handmade friendship bands to trees and plants at their homes on the occasion.
Akshay Gaurav (23) of Digha celebrated the day by catching up with his friends on virtual platform. “Last year, we had lots of fun. But this time due to the pandemic, we held a small virtual party, played games and reminisced about the good old days. It was simple and quite memorable,” he said.
“In the last few months, we understood the true meaning of friendship. The pandemic has shown who are your true friends. Most of the time we spent in confinement, but immediate neighbours turned out to be my true companions. Almost every evening we spent time talking about the current news, sharing recipes and playing games,” said Shweta Mishra of Kadamkuan.
Rupesh also spent most of his time talking to neighbours through the balcony. “When our area was sealed after a few Covid-19 positive cases, our neighbours helped us in providing with essential things,” he said.
Nikita Tiwari, a Class VII student and resident of SK Puri, said she saw her school friends only during online classes. “I make friendship bands for my friends, but tied to plants at home this time. I talked to my friends over the phone,” she said.
Many residents compiled the old pictures with their friends and posted on social platforms.
“Even though I send virtual cards and posted old pictures with my friends, nothing can substitute the fun we used to have during the Friendship Day, especially tying friendship bands, watching movies and having food together,” said Soma (29) of Ashok Rajpath.
Shubham Kant also connected to his friends through live chat through mobile applications. “I had a group chat first with my school friends and later with my college friends. Many are living in different parts of the country and a few of them even abroad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the shops selling gift items and friendship bands had a disappointing day. Guddu Singh, owner of a card and gift shop at Patna Market, said, “Not a single card was sold this time. We even informed the customers that we would deliver the gifts or cards to their friends, but in vain,” he said. The other gift shops also faced the similar situation.