Dr Devan

In life, you can earn money, build status, gain followers, and accumulate possessions — but none of it will hold your hand when your world falls apart. What truly matters is having one genuine, trustworthy friend — someone who will stand by you in your darkest hour, when everyone else silently walks away.

True friendship is not about frequent calls, flattery, or convenience. It is about loyalty without expectation. A real friend does not need explanations — they just understand. When life tests you, when the mask of society drops, and when the fair-weather crowd disappears, that one friend remains, silently holding your ground with you. That kind of bond cannot be bought, forced, or faked. It must be earned through time, truth, and trials.

Investing in such a friend is wiser than investing in gold or property. Wealth can vanish. Fame fades. Power shifts. But a loyal friend multiplies your strength, comforts your soul, and gives meaning to your victories and courage to your defeats. A true friend will not tell you what you want to hear — they will tell you what you need to hear. They will correct you in private and defend you in public.

But to have such a friend, you must first be one. Be loyal, honest, dependable, and genuine. Friendship is not about numbers — it is about depth. You don’t need ten friends who change with the wind; you need one who stays unshaken through the storm.

When life gives you that one true friend, hold on and nurture that bond like a sacred treasure. Stand by them as they stood by you. Appreciate them, protect them, and never take them for granted. For in the final accounting of life, the richest person is not the one who has everything, but the one who has one true friend who never left.

*Dr Devan is a Mangaluru-based ENT specialist and author.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti