{
  "id": 11078947,
  "title": "‘We must catch up.’ Why don’t we?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/we-must-catch-up-why-dont-we",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T01:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/we-must-catch-up-why-dont-we-1.500693886"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "\"We must catch up.\" Those four words are frequently spoken by writer Michael Guzder, and he always means every time he says them, whether he's speaking to a former student, an old colleague, or a relative he hasn't seen in a long time. However, life gets busy and the scheduled meetings often don't take place. This sentiment is almost universal in Dubai, where most individuals reside far from their original homes, and their friends and family are spread across the globe. Making promises is second nature, but actually keeping them can be a challenge. Every year, a couple from Allahabad travels to Dubai, and every year, Guzder and others meet them. They always know when they're supposed to be there, but sometimes they fail to show up for friends who live close by. The problem isn't distance; it's the lack of a set deadline. The most important people in our lives often ask for the least effort. Old friends don't send reminders, chase after you, or sulk over missed opportunities. Work deadlines, school term dates, and constant notifications on our phones all demand immediate responses. Old friendships tend to have no deadline, and therefore, they are often neglected by other obligations. However, when old friendships are eventually rekindled, it feels like they just happened last week. All the old stories, laughter, and hours spent together are recalled with great sincerity, as if the meeting hadn't been postponed for months. This wasn't always the case. In Guzder's childhood in Allahabad, friendships were more spontaneous and less scheduled. A friend would simply knock on the door without needing to make an appointment. They would spend time together, sharing tea, playing games, and enjoying each other's company without any expectations. In those days, life wasn't necessarily easier, but there was more room for the things that didn't need to be planned. Today, life has become more structured, with almost every interaction requiring some kind of planning. The unannounced knock on the door and spontaneous visits have become rare. With the rise of technology like FaceTime, BOTIM, and WhatsApp, we can see someone thousands of miles away within seconds. But this doesn't replace the warmth of an in-person conversation. We may think we're staying connected, but we're often just scrolling through screens. The key to maintaining strong friendships lies in offering time when it matters. If old friends don't demand our time, we must give it to them. We should carefully select who matters most and make plans with them, just as we would for a friend arriving from afar. It could be a simple cup of tea, a game of dominoes, or a few hours of carefree conversation. Whatever it is, it's important to make the effort to meet up. In the age of constant distractions, making time for old friendships can be a simple yet powerful way to strengthen our bonds.",
  "summary": "“We must catch up.” I say those four words often, and I always mean them, whether I’m saying them to a former pupil, an old colleague or a relative I haven’t seen for far too long. Then the days fill up, life gets busy and, somehow, the meeting doesn’t happen. In Dubai, this is almost a way of life. Most of us live far from where we began, and our friends and family are scattered all over the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}