There is always one emotional scene playing out at every airport and railway station.
A young man rushes towards his grandmother, drops his luggage, throws his arms around her and hugs her as though the last ten years have disappeared in one glorious squeeze. Nearby, a mother clings to her daughter who is leaving for another country. Both are crying. The father pretends to adjust his spectacles because fathers are not supposed to cry, though everybody knows they do.
The hug is saying what words cannot.
Then there is the newly married couple. They hug so tightly that even the luggage trolley looks embarrassed. An elderly uncle stands nearby wondering whether he should cough politely or simply look the other way.
A hug is a precious thing. It is supposed to be reserved for those moments when the heart overflows.
Which is why I have begun worrying about the future of the Indian hug.
Our national leader has become the world’s greatest ambassador of hugging. Presidents, prime ministers, kings, princes, visiting dignitaries, surprised diplomats and probably the occasional security guard have all found themselves warmly embraced before they even know what has happened.
Some look delighted.
Some look stunned.
A few appear to be wondering whether this is mentioned anywhere in diplomatic protocol.
The poor translators do not know whether to translate the speech or explain the hug.
And now I fear for the ordinary citizen.
Suppose I meet an old friend after twenty years and rush forward with open arms.
He may step back suspiciously.
“What do you want?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I reply.
“Nobody hugs for nothing anymore.”
That is the tragedy.
When something precious is overused, it slowly loses its value.
Imagine if wedding anniversaries were celebrated every Tuesday. Or birthday cakes were cut before breakfast every morning. Very soon nobody would bother singing.
The same happens with words.
If every promise is called historic, then history becomes rather crowded.
If every decision is described as transformational, then transformation becomes ordinary.
If everybody is called dear friend, one begins wondering who the real friends are.
Perhaps that is why sincerity is so valuable. It cannot be mass produced.
A genuine hug needs no photographers. It needs no television cameras. It needs no audience.
It comes quietly from the heart and goes straight to another heart.
So the next time you hug someone, make sure it is because your heart insists on it, not because it has become a fashionable greeting.
I believe the hug is a deeper revelation. It reminds us that we have begun confusing performance with truth. And that everything done by those in power today mean just this, that they are meaningless words, and meaningless promises!
Then, his hug makes sense..!
Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
Such a powerful message to those who have debased a precious act into a mundane ritual
When your heart says ‘go and hug’, go ahead. It’s your natural expression of love.
It bonds.
It renewes.
It heals.
It whispers ” I do care for you”.
“that” genuine hug matters. Instead of unnecessary show hug, showing genuine smile lightens the heart. What an amazing insights you daily inspires us Bob. Thank you 🙏🏻
Just two words ‘warmly embraced’ embraced is fine but the warmly is debateable.
Beautifully written, Bob. ❤️
A lovely reminder that the true value of a hug lies not in the act itself, but in the emotion behind it.
But I also feel the hug has a remarkable quality—it speaks a different language with every relationship.
A mother’s hug tells you, “You’ll always be my child.”
A father’s hug says, “I’m proud of you,” even when no words are spoken.
A grandmother’s hug wraps you in memories and unconditional love.
A brother’s hug offers strength and protection.
A sister’s hug brings comfort and affection.
A daughter hugging her father is one of the purest expressions of love and trust.
A son hugging his parents reflects gratitude and respect.
A husband and wife’s embrace carries companionship and commitment.
A girlfriend and boyfriend’s hug expresses romance, longing and reassurance.
A child’s spontaneous hug to grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins or family friends is pure innocence.
Friends hug in celebration, reunion, consolation and forgiveness.
Even teammates, colleagues and strangers sometimes share a hug after a moment of great joy or great sorrow.
Every hug has its own meaning, its own warmth and its own story.
So I don’t think the era of hugs will ever fade away. Political or public hugs may come and go, cameras may capture them, and fashions may change—but the hugs born out of genuine love, affection, gratitude and human connection will remain timeless.
The heart always knows the difference… and so does the person being hugged.
A beautiful thought-provoking piece, Bob. Thank you for reminding us that the finest hugs are the ones that need no audience.
I have experienced warmth, acceptance, comfort and peace in genuine hugs that come from the heart, so now I share them joyfully in different settings, as my heart leads. I’ve seen the difference it makes and the way it lights up the person, when the love is transferred through the gesture. Let’s not bother about the ones who misuse it, let us continue to shine the light of Christ through this simple gesture of love.
Warm, sincere and genuine hugs last for more than the actual time of the hug. The memory of hugs like these can carry you through days, months and sometimes years!
Thank you Bobby for highlighting the difference between the ” real, sublime hugs” and the ones done for show.