Whether it is birthday, wedding anniversary or a congratulatory event, when we think of gifts, we go to a gift shop, buy fancy stuff, wrap it in a cover and gift it.
This August 4th will be celebrated as Friendship Day in India. Normally friends would take each other to restaurants, theatres or malls. Exchanging gifts would take place for sure. When we think of gift, we invest in a product to impress our friend. I ask you the question “should gifts be necessarily a product/movie/food?”
A gift could be an opportunity, a gift could be a time to spend for community and the best gift could be the ability to bring a smile in the saddened faces. Gifting your friend the opportunity to serve foods for the poor on Friendship Day could give him/her a feeling of elevation at heart.
Gifting your friend the opportunity to visit charity hospitals where hundreds wait in queue for surgery and helping him know how in future he could donate his organs after his death could be an eye-opening moment for him.
Pitching the idea of him teaching at a differently-abled school a subject of his choice would be a beautiful gift. Of course, the day is meant for friendship but gift could be more than just objects. Think about it.