Fans laud Angelina’s belief in star power

[1]

When all news portals were flashing news about Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie consulting a Buddhist monk to fix a date for her marriage with partner Brad Pitt, youngsters could not help but grin. First, surprised at a Hollywood celebrity’s decision to go the traditional way, rather traditionally Indian, where you consult an astrologer to set an auspicious date to begin something new and ensure everything good follows; many Delhiities feel they should no longer be tagged the “most superstitious” when it comes to following certain fallacies.
Crediting Indian tradition for a number of myths and beliefs that people are exposed to since their childhood, Mansi Bansal, 23, a teacher, feels there is nothing wrong in keeping your own beliefs if they work for you. Mansi prays to see a fruit cart full of fruits when she is on her way to take any exam. “I always look out for a cart laden with fruits when I am on my way to the examination hall. If the cart is fully loaded, I feel my exam will go superb. But if the cart isn’t loaded, I worry all may not be fine,” she says. And she has seen it come true. “I once saw an empty cart on my way to take a subsidiary exam in college, and I flunked that paper,” she rues.
Practices like stopping when a black cat crosses your way or not stepping out when some one in the room sneezes, are still followed. Actuarial analyst Subani Goel says, “I keep hunting for two black sparrows sitting together, and if I see one, I know my day will be ruined,” she says.
Nikita Goenka, 22, an operation executive, shares, “I avoid washing my hair on Thursdays and Saturdays and I don’t cut nails on Tuesdays. I avoid wearing black to a function and plan to start something new on a Wednesday, which is considered to be an auspicious day amongst Hindus,” she says.
For us Indians, it is not difficult to get immune to many practices that are handed down to us. Some youngsters oblige and some choose to ignore. Chartered account Siddharth Kohli’s mother does not let him leave home immediately after sipping water. “I don’t know what is the logic, but she makes sure I eat something before I leave. Also, she does not let me eat anything during eclipse. She tells me not to step out of home or office. I follow her when I am home, but it’s not feasible at work,” he says.
Beliefs are individual choice. But when a celeb follows them, people don’t put their myths in hiding. Nikita adds, “I am amazed that Angelina Jolie believes in astrology. Now I can say with conviction that many things work in your luck.”