Time to abstain
Celebs talk about what they are giving up during Lent
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-02-21 22:34 GMT
Lent started on Wednesday. During the 40-day period, believers around the world abstain from various worldly pleasures by either fasting or by giving up something specific. It can just be discipline as well, like a church in Russia advised people to avoid Twitter and Instagram this Lent season, which ends on Easter. We asked a few in Hyderabad what they were foregoing this Lent.
Fasts and charities
Tollywood actress Regina Cassandra strictly follows Lent. “The person observing Lent is not supposed to buy anything expensive or do lavish lunches or dinners or go out shopping or partying,” she says. Regina herself leads a simple life during this time. “People usually fast till 6 pm. But since I am shooting, and I need some energy to work, I am fasting till 3 pm… Prayer is a must. I pray wherever possible. If I am in a shooting, I do it at my work place,” she says.
Gruelling work hours do make observing Lent difficult for many in showbiz. As model Deborah says, “I am not observing Lent. With so many photoshoots, it’s difficult to fast. But when I do observe it, I give up non-vegetarian, that’s my favourite, and junk food.” Meanwhile Regina says, “The money I am supposed to spend on a lunch or dinner a day (till 40 days) will go to a poor person once Lent is over,” she says.
She points out that the last three days of Lent are important. “On the three days Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, which lead to Easter I go to church,” says Regina. Father Sunder, principal, St Mary’s Degree College, says, “During Lent, I abstain more from negative habits than mere food. This season, I am trying not to judge people, I am trying to understand them more objectively. Also, I wish to be faithful to the vocation I have taken up. These are my priorities for the Lent.”
‘No alcohol, lesser parties’
Leading art director, Sabu Cyril, who is currently working on Baahubali in Hyderabad, says, “Lent is an opportunity to fast, which is very good for the body and mind. I am planning to give up alcohol during this period... That would mean that I would also cut down on parties and celebrations.”
Since Sabu is not much of an eater, fasting is not his priority. “I am not a big foodie, I eat only one or two meals a day. So abstaining from food comes easy to me. It will not be a sacrifice from my end, which is what Lent is about.”
‘No seafood’
DJ Ajay loves non-vegetarian food. And that’s what he is abstaining from this season. He says, “I love non-vegetarian, especially seafood. So, I am giving this up for the next six weeks. I usually eat non-vegetarian food at least four-five times a week, and if I had my way, I would eat it all the time. I will also be attending the special Lent masses on Mondays and Fridays.”