Though a now-famous hug in the Indian Parliament created a flutter and became the subject matter of social media gossip, the seriousness of a hug cannot be overlooked. It is a gesture with many manifestations. From a means to strengthen friendship bonds to a technique of public relations, a hug has many connotations. Moreover, a hug has effects on health, too. If you just type ‘health benefits of a hug’ in the search engine, you will get several descriptions of how a hug works wonders. From reassuring comfort of an embrace to providing relaxation and confidence and even arousing the endocrinal system to secrete the feel-good hormones like oxytocin or dopamine, a hug can be an effective drug for the present day society and help people understand the grammar of human connect. Full marks, then, to the director of the Bollywood film Munna Bhai MBBS for popularising the idea through the lead actor’s hug to all and sundry as the magic cure or jadoo ki jhappi. Even though the hug that took place in Parliament recently raised several eyebrows, its significance needs to be underscored. In fact, both history and mythology have several examples of how much a hug matters. There is the great hug that lord Ram gets from his younger brother Bharat on his return after vanquishing Ravana. The warmth and reverence expressed in the hug is a highly popular part of the Ramlila and is enjoyed by people all over India. Bharat Milap is the name given to that hug. Its depiction at a place called Nati Imli in Varanasi is a spectacle in itself. Thousands throng to watch it every year. The ecstasy that it builds can only be seen to be believed. Then, there is another big hug that lord Krishna gives to his childhood buddy Sudama when the two meet after a long time. That, again, is a heart-touching incident in Krishna lila. Another hug of consequence is mentioned in medieval history. It is set in India where the Maratha King Shivaji is hugged by Afzal Khan. The latter has ulterior motives. That Shivaji could preempt this and slay Khan while in the hug is the interesting twist of this tale. But hugs, nevertheless, have a very important role to play in human life. Hug or the embrace symbolizes love and warmth, camaraderie and feeling of oneness between two individuals. It also signifies complete trust between two people and of course their affection for one another. The Eid milan of Muslims and the Holi milan of Hindus is also all about a hug. Hug is a part of global culture, rather human culture and a practice of greeting one another when people meet or part. That the hug means a lot cannot be emphasised enough. There is psychology behind a hug and, of course, there is sociobiology behind a hug. But coming to the psychodynamics, the medical benefits of hug are a part of popular discourse. That it stimulates the endocrine glands to secrete certain hormones is a part of internal chemistry and can only be felt by its effect. However, biofeedback notwithstanding, a hug is certainly soothing to the mind, the body and the soul. It generates a kind of comfort that we all need during turbulent times.

Pathak is a professor of management, writer, and an acclaimed public speaker. He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com