Feast time with family

For a lot of people, Easter symbolises a new beginning and they feel that the day ushers in a lot of hope and joy. And now that nuclear families are the norm and people rarely get time to spend with each other, Easter only assumes more relevance.

After a 40-day Lent fasting, it’s only fair that one celebrates not only the resurrection of Jesus Christ but the spirit of togetherness. Metrolife speaks to a few families and gets a peek into their Easter plans.

The one thing that is inseparable from Easter is its elaborate menu. The feast befits the fast. Many families in the City invite their friends over to partake in the lavish feast. What’s more, it isn’t just families — even the hotels across the City have made Easter goodies.

Despite his tight schedule, Nitin, an IT professional, makes time to get together with his family and friends during Christmas and Easter. However busy he may be, Nitin sets apart that much-needed time to catch up with his dear ones. Nitin says, “For me, Easter has always been a time when the best food is cooked, including an array of desserts. It’s a time of togetherness. Sharing a meal together despite our busy lives is refreshing and a break from the routine.” 

Charmaine Jerome is an Anglo-Indian and her husband, Jerome, is a Tamilian so all the festivals the couple celebrate have a good mix of both traditions. “Easter is a free gift of salvation to humanity and it certainly brings a lot of hope and confidence,” explains Charmaine.

She adds, “We rarely get a chance to spend time together as a family, since our two daughters Chris and Caren have grown up now and are busy with their own lives. Festivals like Easter are a time for each member of the family to sit together, chat and thereby renew our family bonds over a scrumptious meal.”

For Kaavya Chandy, a first-year communications student at Mount Carmel College, Easter is a victorious celebration after 40 days of fasting. “I’ve observed Lent ever since I can remember. Traditionally, we give up non-vegetarian food for 40 days and put aside an offering for the needy,” observes Kaavya.

But things have changed since she was a child, “As I grew up and as the story of sacrifice became more relevant to me, I started giving up things that made more of a difference.

This year, I have successfully stayed off Facebook and chocolate – my two greatest weaknesses. In the process I’ve learnt to discipline myself and use the extra time to
rearrange my priorities,” she sums up.