Friends on facebook for years, they finally meet face to face

MADURAI

: For many, friendship begins in person and then is maintained over long distance by various means when they move away. But for this group, thanks to social media, the opposite seems to be true.

Over 300 people, who became friends only on facebook, met for the first time on Sunday, exchanging pleasantries, showcasing their artistic talents, in a face-to-face union held at a marriage hall in Palanganatham, Madurai.

Organized by a collective of friends in Madurai, the meet also saw 30 women from various parts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, learn more about their hitherto-virtual pals in real life, singing and dancing through the occasion.

The friends pooled in money through voluntary contributions with many coming forward to take up responsibilities for the get-together. “The hall owner did not even ask for rent because we were also conducting a blood donation camp at the event. At least 50 people donated blood,” said K Navaneethakrishnan, one of the organisers from Madurai.

Similar, programmes were organized in Madurai three years ago. However, only a few, who were part of them, turned up for the Sunday event. “It took 10 days for consensus to emerge on the event in Madurai. Once decided, it took a month to organize it. The desire among us to meet in person helped the event,” said C P Senthil from Jaihindpuram.

Actor Ranjith, who has been supporting such meets, attended and felicitated them. Apart from Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu, a few from Andhra Pradesh made it a point to meet their facebook friends. The event created an opportunity for them to go around the temple city and explore.