MUMBAI: Friendship is the purest and most beautiful relationship that two individuals can share. It can evolve from any relation and can even metamorphose into new partnerships. The world is celebrating this relationship today by marking Friendship Day. Globally, people will be appreciating their friends and will be sending them emotional messages and thus, Indiantelevision.com asked the media industry who their best friends are and here are some sweet responses that we got:
i9 Communications head Munmun S Gentle
I have two best friends: Rachana Chhedha aka Rachuwhom I met in class 1, and Deepak Gaur whom I met while we were working for the same organisation 12 years back. Rachna is from the hospitality industry while Deepak is currently working with a publication. These two have been my pillars of strength throughout my journey. It is very important for one to connect with like-minded people who understand you.
Rachana was the one who motivated me the most during my career shift from sales to public relations. She has also taught me how to remain calm and make right decisions even under extreme pressure. And Deepak has been constantly guiding me with work. Whenever I face any crazy challenge professionally, he is my go-to person because he always tells me, and makes me believe that everything will be alright. He will list down enough samples for me to solve my problems. He is the one person with whom I can talk my heart out as I know he will not judge me.
Both these beautiful people make my life simple and they are the people I can confide my thoughts in. I wish them and all a very Happy Friendship Day!"
Mirum India creative director Kishor Shembekar
It is a rare happening that your boss becomes your best friend but I have been fortunate enough to live this in my life. Vivek Shinde was once my boss and is like family now. Our interactions while working made us know each other better as an individual and developed our friendship. We are still in touch and would continue throughout our lives. We have been friends for almost two decades now and he continues to be a guide and a mentor for me since my initial days in the advertising world. Happy Friendship Day, Vivek!
Communicate India founder & CEO Akshaara Lalwani
My best friend is definitely my husband Rishaan. He is probably the best mentor I’ve ever had and the best support system I could have going through my professional journey. When I’m going through a challenging period, he has been extremely supportive, motivating, and gives me the courage to keep going. Your friends and associates might not always call you out when you’re slipping up, or about to drop the ball, but your best friend always will, and Rishaan does that. He also encourages me to focus on my strengths and not let my weaknesses get the better of me. There are days where he completes my sentences and can read my thoughts. He is not afraid to make me reevaluate some of my decisions and pushes me to be a better person, a better professional, and a better leader.
White Rivers Media co-founder Shrenik Gandhi
Mitesh & I go back a long way. Almost a decade back, we did our MBAs together. Coincidentally, we also share our birthdays and that also happens to be the day we launched White Rivers Media 7 years back, on 7 August.
He plays the role of my right-brain. All creative and strategic calls of the company are taken by Mitesh while I look after expansion, operations, and people.
From the first hire to the first client to the first award, to the first fire, to a first big loss, to the first big office, to first new out of city office, to the first 100 employees, the stories are infinite, regrets are none. Onwards and upwards from here. Happy Friendship Day Mitesh!
