MUMBAI: As the holy week draws to a festive closure, we see the revellers gear up for the much anticipated Easter in all its splendour, including the many Christian executives, who, even with their jam-packed schedule are giving their best to celebrate the day with loved ones.
 
?It?s tough to squeeze in personal time with a hectic schedule like mine even though it?s a holiday, but I have always tried and made sure that I spend my Christmas and Easter holidays with my parents in Goa,? shares NBA India managing director Yannick Colaco, as he rushes to catch his flight to Goa. But not before adding that his highlights from all Easter celebrations over the years has been the anticipation to eat the easter eggs, after fasting for Lent.
 
?Fasting for Lent doesn?t mean you go without food altogether but just to resist eating non-vegetarian food. But for a foodie like me, it?s quite an ordeal. Which is why the Easter eggs taste ten times more delicious when we finally have it,? he points out.
 
Star India head of events Lydia Buthello reiterates that sharing a homely lunch with her loved ones is the best way she cherishes her Easter memories. ?For the last couple of years, I have been celebrating Easter in Bangalore with my younger sister. The day would start with a lavish lunch at home and end with a dinner party at my aunt?s place, with all my cousins. We are quite the loud bunch,? she adds in retrospect. This year, quite sadly she will be missing her mother (and her mouthwatering cooking) as well as her sister?s company.
 
Buthello isn?t the only one. Taproot India co-founder and chairman Agnelllo Dias too will be taking an unwelcome break from his comfortable Easter traditions. ?A typical Easter celebration at my home, before I got married and started living separately, consisted of going for the midnight mass, coming home and wishing all the neighbours and then having a family lunch the next day as more friends drop in with easter eggs, which I used to look forward to as I have quite a sweet tooth. When the family started splitting into smaller nuclear units, Easter day meant regrouping together again at my parents' house and have a blast,? he says with a chuckle, adding that work is keeping him away from these traditions this year.

Speaking of traditions and customs, do these execs adhere to the norms of the holy week? While Coloca and Dias mention fasting and going for the midnight mass as being an intricate part of their Holy week celebrations, Buthello quite frankly confesses to have slipped up over the last few years. ?Over a period of time, I have been irregular about going to the church. But I try to make up to it, by being serious about fasting for lent. I gave up my favourite rice and alcohol for lent last year. So tasting the first morsel of rice was heavenly on Easter,? she says.