Friendship day quotes by inspirational personalities

Friendship Day observances befall on separate dates in many countries.

The World Friendship Crusade had intended the inaugural World Friendship Day for 30th July in 1958.

The General Assembly of the United Nations on 27 April 2011 declared 30 July as official International Friendship Day.

However, countries like India mark the first Sunday of August as the Friendship Day.

The idea of 'Friendship Day' was the brainchild of Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1930.

He marked 2nd August as the day when friendships would be celebrated amongst people.

While the National Association promoted the day, it met consumer resistance as people saw it as a "commercial gimmick to promote greetings cards."

By the 1940s the holiday largely died out.

Friendship day is still avidly celebrated in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and parts of South America and is almost an annual event in these countries.

Friends greet each other with flowers, friendship bands, and greeting cards.

Friendship day is also widely celebrated on social networking sites and several e-commerce sites take out special discounts for gifts for friends.

In Paraguay, the concept of a World Friendship Day was introduced on 20th July 1958 by Dr Artemio Bracho at a dinner with friends in Puerto Penasco.

The World Friendship Crusade came forth "out of this humble meeting of friends".

It was a foundation that encouraged "friendship among all, regardless of race, colour or religion."

Since then, Paraguay celebrates July 30th as Friendship Day.

India's reverred APJ Abdul Kalam said "Sometimes, it's better to bunk a class and enjoy with friends, because now, when I look back, marks never make me laugh, but memories do."

Ace boxer Mohammad Ali said if you haven't learnt how to make friends "you really haven't learned anything."

Nelson Mandela said friends made one "see problems from all angles."