Thou shalt not kill to eat

Mona

Achari tikka served with mint chutney, halloumi and cheese paranthas with some refreshing green and black tea, some 50 enthusiasts - vegans, aspiring vegans, and non-vegans— launched Veganuary formally early this month with a panel discussion and, of course, on a vegan platter!

Right, Veganuary is an attempt to go vegan for this month and carry on thereafter. So far, some 25,0000 people have happily embraced this zero-waste, guilt-free, sustainable and healthy beginning. The India chapter of this UK registered charity starts from Chandigarh that does boast of a small yet cohesive vegan community.

For Dharmesh Mehta, founder of Earthr, a non-profit organisation that has partnered with Veganuary, it was a documentary by Leonardo DiCaprio that became a game changer, “Post watching Before the Flood, I couldn’t help but give one serious shot to veganism.”

Starting slowly but steadily on that path, Mehta has enjoyed this journey for about a year-and-half now. Fitter with less burden on his conscious is how he describes the change.

Alternative theory

Jairoop Riar, an animal activist, turned vegetarian post watching a PETA video. The shift to veganism was a natural progression. “Being a vegan is not difficult or expensive,” she asserts. Dal, roti, sabji is all vegan food, as long as one is avoiding milk, curd, ghee – most of our vegetarian meals are vegan. As for milk and milk products there are alternatives. Years into this, she insists her health has seen an upward swing and as one would wonder her social life is going pretty fine. “I don’t eat out much but whenever I do I request for vegan options – mushroom tikka for starters, meals without butter/cheese are an easy option.”

The beauty element

Just not food, this one community looks at life choices rather stringently. Vegan beauty services rather in vogue. “While it’s been a done thing in the West, increasingly millennial here too ask for vegan facials as does a large chunk of NRI clientele,” opens up Richa Agarawal, from Cleopatra. Their vegan manicures and pedicures are getting tremendous response.

Changing scenario

While the movement that aims at kindness for all living forms, has registered its presence in 193 countries working through social media, for our country this changes colour. “We have many outreach programmes,” shares Mehta. A 1000 km drive, speed dating event for vegans, pot luck – January would see events to promote veganism. “Together we can make a change,” he affirms.

Wanna give it a try?

Vaganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude as far as is possible and practicable all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. While one can comfortably follow the principles when it comes to food, one got to be extra alert while choosing products in our daily life. For example, would you have thought our phone and laptop screens contain cholesterol from animals?

Marathon on vegan diet 

I am a proud vegan since birth. Being a marathon runner everyone advised me to include chicken and meat in my diet to fulfil the protein requirements. I’m glad I was able to train for full marathon with clean vegan diet. It is a misconception that vegan diet does not fulfil your protein requirements. I did 2 full marathons and 20 half marathons on vegan diet. I believe a vegan diet can be one of the healthiest ways to live. Plant-based diets include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Because vegan diets tend to be higher in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, protein and fibre. Healthy vegan diets are abundant with vitamins B1, C, and E, folic acid, magnesium and iron. – Navneet Kaur