<p>The precious bond of friendship is a rare thing to find but once found, it lasts a lifetime. Friendship Day only helps make this bond a lot stronger and brings out the true essence of friendship. For decades, one of the major symbols of friendship has been the friendship band.<br /><br />Popular amongst youngsters, the youth of today take great care in getting the right band for their friends and those who receive them, end up cherishing them forever. Weeks before the very day, markets are filled with all sorts of friendship bands suiting different budgets and tastes. <br /><br />Traditionally made out of embroidery threads or wool, over the years the bands have taken various forms. One can go in for a range of bands — from the plain fluorescent-coloured plastic bands to the clip-on bracelets that have a longer shelf life.<br /><br />“It is an old belief that one should not remove the friendship band as it will lead to the end of friendship. So one has to let the friendship band fall off naturally. But now things have changed. The band is bought with an intention to celebrate the day but ends up being just another fashion accessory that one gets to flaunt on Friendship Day,” says Shriya, a student.<br /><br />No doubt the marketing of these bands has been successful as the day is not complete without the tying of friendship bands.<br /><br /> “The band is like a bond between two friends. In a way, you are appreciating the other person in your life. That’s why I take care in buying the right kind of friendship band. I generally go in for the simple thread ones which can be tied,” says Sweekruth, an engineering student.<br /><br />There are several patterns and styles as well. Colourful beads with letters on them, little bells, and tiny velvet hearts, with ‘best friend’ printed on them, are a popular choice. <br />“When I go out and buy the bands, I like to go in for bright colours so that the bands can actually stand out when I wear them. I like to keep the bands simple. A band says a lot about one’s personality. With the variety that is present in the market, one can actually go for bands with his or her friends’ favourite colours or sayings,” says Brijesh, another engineering student, who likes bands in orange and red colours.</p>
<p>The precious bond of friendship is a rare thing to find but once found, it lasts a lifetime. Friendship Day only helps make this bond a lot stronger and brings out the true essence of friendship. For decades, one of the major symbols of friendship has been the friendship band.<br /><br />Popular amongst youngsters, the youth of today take great care in getting the right band for their friends and those who receive them, end up cherishing them forever. Weeks before the very day, markets are filled with all sorts of friendship bands suiting different budgets and tastes. <br /><br />Traditionally made out of embroidery threads or wool, over the years the bands have taken various forms. One can go in for a range of bands — from the plain fluorescent-coloured plastic bands to the clip-on bracelets that have a longer shelf life.<br /><br />“It is an old belief that one should not remove the friendship band as it will lead to the end of friendship. So one has to let the friendship band fall off naturally. But now things have changed. The band is bought with an intention to celebrate the day but ends up being just another fashion accessory that one gets to flaunt on Friendship Day,” says Shriya, a student.<br /><br />No doubt the marketing of these bands has been successful as the day is not complete without the tying of friendship bands.<br /><br /> “The band is like a bond between two friends. In a way, you are appreciating the other person in your life. That’s why I take care in buying the right kind of friendship band. I generally go in for the simple thread ones which can be tied,” says Sweekruth, an engineering student.<br /><br />There are several patterns and styles as well. Colourful beads with letters on them, little bells, and tiny velvet hearts, with ‘best friend’ printed on them, are a popular choice. <br />“When I go out and buy the bands, I like to go in for bright colours so that the bands can actually stand out when I wear them. I like to keep the bands simple. A band says a lot about one’s personality. With the variety that is present in the market, one can actually go for bands with his or her friends’ favourite colours or sayings,” says Brijesh, another engineering student, who likes bands in orange and red colours.</p>
