International Day of Friendship

We all know “Friendship is Love ”, but most of our loved ones do not entertain our 3 am tantrums while our best friend surely does! The International Day of Friendship,  celebrates this important part of our lives- ‘friends’ and the way they make it better. They don’t just share our happiness and celebrate our success, but also stand behind us when we are faced with trying times. The world would be a far more difficult place to be in if we didn’t have friends. 

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about International Day of Friendship to get the basic information. This topic can be asked in the UPSC Prelims as part of the current affairs.  

Facts About International Day of Friendship for UPSC Exam

Read the below-mentioned facts about International Day of Friendship; and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation. 

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims. 

About International Day of Friendship

• The International Day of Friendship is observed on July 30 in most parts of the world. But in some countries like India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, UAE and the USA it is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. 
• The world is full of crises and divisive forces, such as poverty, violence, and human rights violations, which threaten world peace, safety, prosperity, and social harmony. Solutions of these challenges are addressed at the fundamental reasons by fostering and protecting a common sense of human solidarity, which can take various forms, the most basic of which is friendship. Thus, the International Day of Friendships is about celebrating coming together for the greater good of society.
• Friendship creates a passion for a better world where all are reunified for the common good by collecting bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of confidence.

History of International Day of Friendship

• Friendship Day was first organised by the founder of Hallmark Cards, Joyce Hall in 1930. Event planned for 2 August, didn’t receive a warm response from people.
• Then the idea of globally celebrating Friendship Day was given by Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho on July 20, 1958, which gave way to the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation that campaigns to foster peaceful culture through friendship
• Hence, International Friendship Day was first proposed on July 30, 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade.
• In 1998 the cartoon character, Winnie the Pooh, was named as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations.
• On April 27, 2011, United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA)declared July 30 as the official International Friendship Day. 

Learn more about the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by clicking the link.

Importance of International Day of Friendship

• The day celebrates the idea that Friendships inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities, peoples, countries, cultures and individuals.
• The day emphasises involving young people, as future leaders, in all the community activities including different cultures and promoting international understanding and respect for diversity.
• This day recognises the powerful bond of friendship that exists between two or more individuals regardless of caste, creed, or colour.
• Friendship Day ignites enthusiasm for a better world in which everyone works together for the greater good, and brings together individuals who are working for a better world. 

How is the International Day of Friendship Celebrated?

• The day is particularly popular among school and college-going students who celebrate this day by exchanging cards, going out with friends and tying friendship bands to each other.
• Although the day is not a public holiday, people around the world go out with their friends and celebrate their bond.
• The UN encourages governments, international organisations 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, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

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