‘Has the sun started rising from the west? The definition(s) and objective(s) of friendship have changed. The world has changed it seems. The leaders of North Korea and the USA will soon meet and shake hands in a month’s time, in Singapore. Who would have believed this would happen a year ago, given such entertaining and flowery language that the leaders would use for each other in the past?
Who would also have imagined Dr Mahathir, the newly elected 92-year old PM of Malaysia and his earlier Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, would join hands again after two decades, after what happened between the two in the past, with Anwar Ibrahim languishing in jail since then, and win the just concluded general election? Mahathir has promised to seek royal pardon for Anwar and get him released from jail in a month’s time and then hand over the government to him in two years from now.
Taking a leaf from the above, newly written, chapters of the history book, can India and Pakistan join hands to jointly fight poverty, disease, illiteracy, and terrorism in the subcontinent? Can India and China join hands to fight off air pollution and global warming? Possibly difficult but not impossible. Hope sustains life!
Friendship used to be a matter of intellectual and emotional compatibility –chemistry in simple words – and sharing common interests; a subjective matter, generally. It would happen naturally. No longer! Over time, the definition of friendship has more or less changed; it has become more and more objective and strategic. Now, people think before making friends; it used to be a matter of heart in the past.
These days, the best of friends turn into the worst of foes, if their individual interests cross paths. On the other side, sworn enemies forge strategic alliances for common interests. This happens in families and communities too. It is not easy to separate friends from enemies. One never knows who is carrying a hidden dagger to stab you in your back especially at a time when you would be most unsuspecting. Anyone can surprise you most unexpectedly, either way. Faces are deceptive, so are smiles, handshakes and hugs.
Man is after all a herd animal, but with a difference. Unlike most other animals, man is very conniving, scheming and deceptive.
If anyone trusts you blindly and unconditionally, you are extremely fortunate, a god’s angel! Never ever break that trust even if you have to lose your life. In return, trust that person blindly. Such mutual trust is divine, it has god’s blessings.’ … Bill K Koul