“The ship that does not drown is Friendship”—a line from a beloved Tamil song that perfectly captures the essence of this blog. Friendships are life’s anchors, giving us strength and joy through every storm and calm. Each of us grows up observing relationships, especially those of our parents. For me, the friendship between my father, Mr. Velayutham, and his lifelong companion, Mr. Parthasarathy (fondly known as VijiMama), is a shining example of what true friendship looks like.
Their bond spans an incredible seven decades. In their youth, they were inseparable, riding together on a Chetak scooter, much like the iconic one from the recent Tamil movie Mei Azhagan. This image immediately brought back countless memories of their camaraderie. Their families shared a harmonious relationship, attending every milestone in each other’s lives without any expectations. If my father faced a challenge, Viji Mama was always there, standing firm like a shield. Even today, at 74, my father mentions his dear friend multiple times a day, a testament to the unshakable strength of their bond.
My Journey of Friendship
Like my father, I’ve been blessed with cherished friendships throughout my life. During my #12thskip phase, I found camaraderie in friends like Maades, Sridhar, Ramachandran, Raj, Senthil, and Sasikumar. They brought laughter and support during a challenging time, and our shared memories are deeply etched in my heart.
Entering engineering college, however, was a different story. As a direct second-year entrant, I felt like an outsider among the 54 classmates who had already bonded during their first year. I was a droplet on a lotus leaf—visible, but detached. It took two long years to find my footing. During that time, I found solace among EEE students, where I felt at home, playing cricket for their department and spending time with my diploma friend Sridhar, whose family also supported mine immensely.
PSG Tech was a melting pot of diverse people—children of millionaires, government officials, police officers, and middle-class families like mine. Yet, they all embraced me as one of their own, never letting socioeconomic differences affect our bonds.
One of my most cherished memories is from the second-year Kodaikanal trip, which my classmates sponsored for me. Their kindness still fills my heart with gratitude. It’s amusing to recall that I once taught COBOL to a friend who now manages a private equity firm worth $100M.
Among all my college friendships, four stood out: Suresh, Vimal, Savi, Sumathi, and I formed the “5-Star” group. We shared countless unforgettable moments, some of which I hope to recount in future posts.
Key Takeaways
- True Friendship is Timeless: The bond between my father and VijiMama reminds us that real friendships can stand the test of time, thriving even after seven decades.
- Acts of Kindness Leave Lasting Impressions: Whether it’s a sponsored trip or unwavering support, small gestures of friendship have an enduring impact.
- Diversity Enriches Relationships: My experiences at PSG Tech taught me that friendships transcend boundaries of class, background, and status when mutual respect exists.
Friendships are the family we choose, offering solace and strength at every stage of life. Cherish them, nurture them, and never take them for granted.
