Friendship is a divine gift to the. mankind and friendship grows spontaneously and it hardly requires any conscious and deliberate effort .There is need for friendship between individuals and countries in the globe .Friendship day is celebrated across the countries in the world annually on 30th of July and on this occasion countries world over come closer and friendship among countries takes birth .Friendship Day ,recognized by the United Nations ,is celebrated globally on July 30.This day promotes the idea that friendship between peoples ,countries ,cultures and individuals across the world. The world Friendship Crusade has lobbied the United Nations for several year .
The main goal of International Friendship Day is typically to simply show your friends that you care for and appreciate their friendship .There is no one way to celebrate your friendships ,whether on July 30 or at any other time of year .It is celebrated to encourage the global bonding of friendship among people .Friendship is celebrated among people on different dates .The emotions and feelings related to friendship is difficult to be deciphered .From ancient times ,there has been numerous instances of friendship that have changed the entire meaning of humanity .The friendship is one such emotion which is well utilized by the writers and directors into books ,literary works or movies .The virtue of friendship has been appreciated by one and all over the world .
To encourage the global bonding of friendship among people ,friendship is celebrated among people on different dates .The idea of Friendship Day was given by Joyce Hall ,the founder of Hallmark Cards in the year 1930.Earlier it was proposed to celebrate the Friendship Day on 2rd August by sending friendship gifts ,greeting cards and other items on the holiday celebrations. The idea was further promoted by greeting card National Association during 1920’s but was not taken in a healthy spirit as it reflected the commercial gimmick to promote greeting cards in the name of Friendship Day. The present day efforts in this direction was evident when US Congress in the year 1935 decided celebrate a day in the honor of friends .Although the exact reason for the celebration of Friendship Day is not known but the need for it was felt due to devastating effects of the First World War .
The occasion was thought as an effort that could dissolve the mistrust ,hatred and enmity among people .International Friendship Day is officially celebrated on July 30,as recognized by the United Nations .However ,in many countries ,including India ,Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August ,which falls on August 4,2024.International Friendship Day ,recognized by the United Nations ,is celebrated globally on July 30.This day promotes the idea that friendship between peoples ,countries ,cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities .International Day of Friendship Day 2024 will be celebrated on July 30,highlighting the importance of global friendships and mutual understanding .
The theme of International Friendship Day 2024 is ‘’Embracing Diversity ,Fostering Unity’’ This theme emphasizes the significance of recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds ,cultures ,and perspectives that our friends bring into our lives .It encourages building bridges of understanding and unity ,celebrating the rich tapestry of human connections .Friendship day has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century .The idea of dedicating a day to friends was first proposed by Joyce Hall ,the founder of Hallmark cards in 1930.The initial aim was to promote exchange of greeting cards ,but the concept quickly evolved into a global celebration of friendship .In 1958,the idea gained further momentum when Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho ,a Paraguayan ,proposed the establishment of world Friendship Day during a dinner with friends. This proposal led to the formation of the World Friendship Crusade ,an organization dedicated to promoting friendship and understanding among people of different backgrounds .
The United Nations officially recognized International Friendship Day in 2011,encouraging governments ,organizations ,and communities to observe the day in ways that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a peaceful and inclusive world .We celebrate International Friendship Day by organizing assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples ,countries ,cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities .It is marked as a day for forging friendship between different communities and sinking their differences so that we live in a better world .Our world faces many challenges ,crises and forces of division –such as poverty ,violence ,and human rights abuses –among many others that undermine peace ,security ,development and social harmony among world’s people .
To confront these crises and challenges ,their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms –the simplest of which is friendship .Through friendship –by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust –we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability ,weave a safety net that will protect us all ,and generate passion for a better world where all are united for a greater good .To mark the International Friendship Day ,the UN encourages governments ,international organizations and civil society groups to hold events ,activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations ,for solidarity ,mutual understanding and reconciliation.
The International Day of Friendship is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values ,attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems .It was then adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997.On this auspicious day, people meet their friends in order to exchange greeting cards , flowers and gifts among themselves. Simply spending quality time with your friend can be a meaningful way to celebrate your friendship .You might arrange for two of you to do your favorite activity together or have a nice meal .Friends are not only important on an individual level .Friendship can also be important on a global level .
Friendship that crosses borders can help bring peace and avoid war .In brief International Friendship Day will ultimately promote peace ,mutual goodwill and amity in the world which is torn by greed and is ravaged by violence .On this year’s International Friendship Day let us resolve to further friendship between communities ,countries and cultures so that international peace is promoted and the world becomes a peaceful and better place to live.

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