It is a ritual Novel Nathan has been observing for some years now. Every day after coming back from school, he logs on to Facebook to stay connected with his friends and relatives. Since the Ash Wednesday when the Lent began, he has logged off from the social media site. Supriya is a big Facebook junkie and spends her free time browsing the site. Now, her Facebook account is passive and the young HR professional is spending time reflecting on life, practicing austerity and giving to the needy. This Lent, as Christian devouts give up on something which is important to them, some youngsters have taken a cyber path to abstain from their technology addictions. Novel, a drums instructor at Meridian School, Banjara Hills says abstaining from social media is easy. “I have a happy family and I pray for the wellbeing of my kids and their security. Staying off Facebook is just for these 40 days so it is not a difficult thing to do,” he says with a smile.
Staying off technology during Lent has seen a slow but steady rise with some youngsters trying to refrain from the traditional forms of fasting. Across the globe, we have seen reports about the faithful giving up on the use of technology during this 40-days period of penance and repentance. In Mumbai, youngsters are keeping themselves away from the technology bug. In Hyderabad too, some have pressed cont+alt+del on the social media sites and abstaining from it. But is it practical to refrain from technology? “Though I would love to keep myself off from technology for a few days, due to my work I have to be always logged on,” says PR professional.
Suman Benedict, an employee with Deloitte adds that social media plays a positive role during the Lent period. “Some youngsters want to spread cheer and post messages inspiring others to introspect and think of the needy. These messages form like a chain reaction and have a positive effect,” she says. At her house, Lent is the time to stay off non-vegetarian food and movies. “Eating non-vegetarian food is like a habit with me hence it becomes difficult and I have to constantly remind myself about staying off it.
Even my friends know that I don’t watch movies during Lent so they do not make any plans. During this period I stay alert to let not these temptations take over,” she states.
Karuna Jainpalli doesn’t abstain from anything but tries to be more prayerful during this time of the year. “Staying away from social media is just a new form of staying away from TV or not watching movies during Lent.
It’s another way of saying that detaching yourself from any activity that makes you less focused. I am not addicted to social media personally hence staying away does not really affect me,” she says.
If many devouts give up on the material luxuries of life, for some like S. Rodriguez, this is the time for self-improvement. “I try to be polite, extra nice and not to snap at people.
This is a way of cleansing myself. I try to be a good person so that the goodness continues all through the year,” he says with a smile. Joe Koster of Hyderabad Western Music Foundation has another viewpoint: “I don't observe these ‘man-made’ Lent-rules. We cannot please God with a well meant effort just during a particular time of the year (like Christmas, Easter etc.) And, to stay away from ‘unhealthy/bad’ things is a permanent self-observation/introspection. Life with God is and has to do with a permanent relationship (means 7x24x365). Unless someone understands the inner meaning, ‘Lent’ becomes a mere philosophy,” he points out.
Observing that technology is taking over our lives, he says, “To stay away for some days/time from social media might work wonders (even without considering ‘Lent’!) as many people are getting addicted, enslaved and depending of these new platforms of communication.”
