F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

In times where it is cool to have a boyfriend or an arm candy, I for one never believed in having one. Media and westernization glamorizes the concept. Rose Day, Valentines Day et al have gained more prominence than Friendship Day. Today's generation has immense pressures. Having to find a girlfriend or a boyfriend is now added to the laundry list. In my college days (which was not more than 5-7 years ago), hanging out with a bunch of friends and having fun was more important than flaunting a boyfriend/girlfriend.

I recall the days when we used to celebrate the simple pleasures of life - i.e. treating ourselves after the exams or results, watching a corny movie and passing ridiculous comments, arguing with shopkeepers for a cheaper deal, photo copying notes for each other, standing up for one another in front of our professors. Although we all had different ideals, different lifestyles and different goals, we were all motivated bunch of individuals. We studied hard and partied even harder. We chilled out during the college festivals and worked furiously to complete the assignments on time.

Even our parents knew who we were with at odd hours and there was nothing to hide or lie about. The boys would protect us girls from lewd people. In short, life was simple. Not a series of break-ups, heart breaks, or sex scandals. Even now we all keep in touch in spite of differing priorities. I am certainly not giving a lesson on moral science nor am I am not against the western culture or changes to the societal norms. However, somewhere the feeling of coming back home to your friends has long gone with evolution.