Veganism: A Bond To Save Animals

Meenu Gupta

1 May 2008, 19:15

I recently came back from India. “Are you a Vegetarian or Vegan”, a college day friend of mine questioned me at Nirula’s when I ordered a Veg. Amritsari thali. Mamta has been a vegetarian since I know her but she recently turned a “Vegan”. I got curious. “Vegan” does that sound like “Vegetarian” to you?  she asked. “Well so it did for me, but as I found out there’s much more to the phrase.” She told me about PETA.

When I interacted with the Vegan group I got to know this unique way of life,which is steps ahead of vegetarianism. PETA  cares for animals, and it genuinely does. Because this concern is not limited to making speeches or promotion Ads,it involves making changes and sacrifices in one’s daily lifestyle. Example is better than precept for this enthusiastic group of 10 volunteers. Natasha feels it is hypocritical to claim being an animal lover but put them on your dinner table. She turned a vegetarian 5 years ago and then made the transition to a vegan diet almost two years ago. “I feel a lot better now, both physically and mentally. I am no longer living a compromise—I work for what I believe in,which is very liberating.” she says. The 10 energetic group of trailblazers include Natasha Paul,Puja Joshi,Jalaj Kalra,Sachin Bangera,Dipali Jadhav,Nikunj Sharma,Dharmesh Solanki,Simran Kodesia,Sean Noronha and Monish Raut. They express their care for animals by giving up everything that involves torture of animals. The group meets once a fortnight. “The last time we all went out was at Costa Coffee,” says Natasha.

To discourage cruelty towards animals,the PETA volunteers have given up milk and milk products. They drink soya milk to discourage cattle being injected with oxytocin so that they produce milk faster. They have tofu or soya curd instead of paneer or cheese. The group members take coffee or tea black and don’t keep mayonnaise or butter or ghee in their kitchen.
An ISKCON devotee, Dharmesh Solanki says,

“I became vegan 3 years ago, because I was concerned about the suffering endured by animals raised for milk. Fortunately, transitioning away from dairy was easy because I already did not eat chocolate, hot cocoa, tea, or coffee because of my ISKCON religion.”

Sachin Bangera adds,“I turned vegetarian 3 years ago and I have been a vegan for 2 years now. It was not that difficult for me to turn vegetarian as I never liked meat and fish that much. Turning vegan was a bit more difficult for me as my family was resistant to making special meals without dairy. But they are starting to come around now, because I have been accommodating and never asked them to go out of their way to use special substitutes for paneer or milk. Now, they make sure that whenever they buy sweets for me, they check to make sure that they do not contain milk, ghee or other dairy products.”

Bangalore now has sizeable vegan population. Leather items,silk and woollen clothes and cosmetics are also boycotted. The Vegan group has convinced Shoppers’ Stop to introduce non-leather cat shoes. They have declared Bandra’s Linking Road as the unofficial vegan paradise because of the proliferation of shops that sell leather-free footwear.

They do not preach at people to follow them but they do make suggestions. When they visit a restaurant, for instance, they offer feedback. Their effort is now paying off gradually.
Costa Coffee, and Brios, are introducing vegan dishes to their menus. People are becoming aware and concerned. Two new members, Sean Noronha and Premal Bhavsar just joined the group. To spread the word PETA has released two DVDs. More about content and availability of the DVDs; Did Your Food Have A Face? and Please Don’t Eat Babe For Breakfast. can be found at The PETA web site and at PETA TV.com
     

The Vegan lifestyle now favored by many youngsters has raised a few eyebrows among people, especially parents. “Some family members and friends feel like they have to prepare special things for me, but the dairy products aren’t actually as big a challenge as my avoidance of tea and coffee, because they are commonly offered to guests. My family members feel that I will suffer health problems by avoiding dairy, even though I tell them that many health problems are caused by dairy, not by the lack of it.” says Dharmesh.

Declining the thought that only rich people can become vegan, Dharmesh says most vegan foods are economical.

For Puja Joshi turning vegan was a “natural progression”. “When I realized that milk, butter, cheese, ghee and paneer caused immense pain and suffering to animals,the transition was easy. It’s all in your mindset, at the end of the day. I relish my mushrooms, tofu and soy milk.” Her family, however has always supported her in her decision to turn Vegan. “Although they continue to eat meat, they respect my choice. At home,I only cook vegan meals, but I don’t demand that my family members do the same. I would love for all of them turn vegan eventually, but I want them to do it at their own pace” she says.

Nikunj has always been a vegetarian, having being born in a Brahmin family. He became a Vegan 2 years ago when he joined PETA. “I learned about the terrible cruelty inflicted on animals raised for milk. Most cows raised for the dairy industry are confined to tiny spaces. Cows are unable to fulfill their most basic desires, such as nursing the calves they love.” he says.

Simran Kodesia  had an insatiable craving for milk and coffee till 6 months ago when she turned a Vegan. “My friends tease me that we can meet in pubs and chat over mocktails now, since coffee shops don’t lure me as much as they used to.” When questioned about how they feel about being different from others, Simran says “There was some difficulty making the transition, but since many of my friends are also vegan now, none of us feel out of place in each other’s company. And thanks to Costa, I can still get my coffee frescato with soya milk!”

Jalaj Kalra  earlier a cosmetics enthusiast stopped buying cosmetics. “I got to know through PETA that many cosmetics are tested on animals. When I learnt that rabbits have shampoos, creams and other products dripped into their eyes and that mice,guinea pigs are force-fed products to test their toxicity, I stopped buying cosmetics that have been tested on animals.”
After watching footage of animals being slaughtered for their flesh and skin, I gave up meat, dairy products and leather, as well. I also make it a point to buy only those cosmetics that do not contain any animal ingredients, like milk, honey, beeswax etc. I consider it a lifestyle change—I can’t imagine ever consuming animal products again.” says Jalaj.
    
I got fascinated getting to know the Vegans all determined towards a selfless cause. “My lifestyle does intrigue people, and it makes for some interesting conversations. I am always happy to answer any questions people might have about the health benefits of refraining from meat, fish or dairy products, or about the challenges associated with checking labels and eating out at restaurants. It gets people thinking” says Natasha.

Whether you approve Veganism or not, it does ask the question, “Is our diet and clothing free from cruelty?” “Are we killing animals just to add variety to our dinner table?”

(For those interested in joining PETA or the group write check out their web site

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