JOIN USMost campaigns have a serious purpose. It’s rare to come across one that spreads happiness. The ‘Free Hug’, founded by Nidhi Suresh and Malavika Nandakumar, is one such campaign.
Nidhi, who also operates the Facebook page called ‘Free Hug — Bangalore’, says she isn’t a technology person and talking to friends on social networking sites and apps is not her way of interaction. She prefers to meet people, sit down and have a conversation.
“I am not the sort who takes photographs and posts them on social networking sites. Meeting people is a way of life for me and that’s how this concept came about,” she says. “This is not an original concept. It has been done before. I saw it on Youtube and wanted to do it in the City.”
She adds, “I have been sceptical about letting more people join the campaign. Many, including my classmates, have shown an interest thanks to our Facebook page. But I want like-minded people to join it. The campaign should have an air of positivity. Letting unknown people join the cause can hamper the joy we are spreading.”
“A concept like this is still not welcomed in India. But at least the people we have met on Brigade Road are open-minded. Many come in regularly and hug us with a smile. Men are mostly shy and wait a while before coming forward, which is a good thing in the end,” she adds.
Malavika says, “We were doing the campaign on Brigade Road recently when a cop chased us from the spot. We did go to a new spot but he came along and said, ‘What you are doing is against the culture. It will encourage rape incidents and the crimes against women will increase’.”
She adds, “We don’t think a hug encourages rape. We are not saying what he is saying is wrong because of the issues that have happened in the City recently. But that statement was a bit extreme.”
According to them, a hug can make a huge difference in the lives of people and help them move forward in life. “All we do is hug and share the happiness that we are experiencing with others. We have had people from various walks of life joining us. That’s all we want to do — spread the joy of a hug,” they sum up.