Astrologer and healer Rinhee Suberwal carries a profound understanding of emotional bonds—both personal and cosmic. As Friendship Day approaches, she reflects on how the meaning of friendship has evolved over time.
“Yes, I do celebrate Friendship Day,” she says warmly. “All my school friends are still in touch with me, and we’re all very proud of each other’s achievements.”
But she notes that the essence of true friendship has shifted over the years. “Friends and friendship the way we used to have it don’t really exist in today’s age. Real friendships are rare now. Most of the time, it’s just ‘friends with benefits,’” she admits. “The true essence of friendship has faded. But in some cases, you can still find genuine friends.”
Rinhee believes childhood friendships, when nurtured, often stand the test of time. “If you’ve been friends since childhood and have maintained that bond, it has a better chance of lasting forever—unlike those formed in work environments, which are not always guaranteed to last,” she explains.
She adds, “I do have good friends from both the industry and outside, but I have more friends outside the industry. They understand my pain and struggles better. People in the industry are often too busy or caught up in their own issues.”
On how she keeps in touch, Rinhee shares, “All my friends live abroad, so we don’t get to celebrate Friendship Day as such. But we make a video call every week and that keeps the bond alive. We don’t need a specific day to reassure our friendship—and that’s what I believe.”
For Rinhee, friendship extends beyond its conventional meaning. “I’m a very family-oriented person,” she says softly. “I’m friends with my mother, my husband, and my children. Friendship isn’t just outside your family—it lives within, too.”
