Tell us about yourself
I am an Animal Rights Activist. I love reading about activism, nutrition, philosophy, and the history of India. I am into sports and play Football, Cricket, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Badminton and I’ve played Volleyball at the district level. I love exploring nature and also practice minimalism.
Since when you've been Vegan? What inspired you to do so?
I turned vegan around May 2013, almost 6 years probably.
I’ve been Ahimsa follower all my life. As a child I’d given up a lot of items, to give an example, I gave up all the toiletries which are animal fat-based. When there was a rumour that some soaps are animal fat-based, I gave up using them. So from my childhood, I tried not to use products that have animal ingredients or were tested on animals. Around 4-5 years before I became vegan in 2009-10, I stopped visiting zoos and taking any rides on animals. So yeah, it was a continuous process for me and I wasn’t aware of the term vegan. For me, it was following the path of Ahimsa.
Once I came to know about dairy, I wasn’t sure and started researching on my own to find out what is happening. I joined various groups to find out more details. I was in the US then, and people said all this dairy torture happen in western countries. During that time I met one of my friends who was earlier a vegetarian and became vegan. That meeting with her made me explore veganism and more importantly about the dairy industry. I figured out that it’s not just the beef industry but the dairy industry also which contributes to suffering.
Earlier I used to think that the 'dairy industry' is causing the harm and the milk from gaushalas (Indian shelter for cows) was fine. But over one year, I realised that all dairy products come from slavery and suffering.
In your initial days, was it difficult to transition?
Not really. Back then there was a lack of information, especially the Indian picture of animal sufferings. My transition started with giving up all the luxury dairy items like Paneer, Cheese and all, however, I was still consuming ghee. This was because I used to think that it doesn’t happen in India. However, as I figured out more things, I gave up dairy completely.
Do people still ask you about your nutrition especially protein and calcium? Usually, parents are very concerned a lot.
Not now, but it used to happen in my early days but when they saw me for around 1-2 years, they were convinced. At the same time, I read about nutrition myself and figured out all the things. I took advice from my sister who is a doctor, and later she also became vegan.
In my initial time, people used to think that it is a trend. People used to think that all this happens in the US but in India it is alright. There was a lack of information (that it happens in India) and now also.
Many non-vegans say that plants also have life and how can we eat them, what is your take on that?
Firstly, plants are not sentient. They cannot feel pain and suffering. It’s not just about killing an animal, it’s also about enslavement, separating their babies from them and also the amount of sexual abuse they undergo.
Secondly, let’s assume that plants feel pain for a moment. You know that the level of pain will be very less compared to animals. Also, most of the time the plant products which we eat are not killing the plants. We consume products like fruits, vegetables, etc. Sometimes, we do kill a plant. To such cases, I will say they can become Jain Vegan. So, you don’t have to kill essentially plants to be vegan.
Thirdly, the plants produce fruits along with seeds. The fruits are attractive, good smell and fleshy because the plants ultimately want their seeds to spread and that is what herbivores do. The same goes for flowers. The insects help them in pollination. Also, the grains we eat are after the plants die.
What motivates you to stay vegan?
I would like to mention a quote from Mahavira:
"Just as you do not like misery, in the same way, others also do not like it. Knowing this, you should do to them what you want them to do to you."
In your initial stage, did you face any struggle to give up things? Did you have any craving for any food item?
No, the craving was never my weakness. I could give up anything if I can see the suffering, craving is not a priority because it’s a selfish approach.
What is the best thing you feel, being vegan?
I stepped up in the journey of Ahimsa and got to connect with so many people who’ve come together for one cause of giving animals their rights.
What is your approach towards non-vegans? Do people get offended by you if you talk about veganism?
I don’t bring up the topic all the time. Of course, when I meet them initial time, I bring up the topic and if the response seems to be negative, I don’t bring up the topic again unless there is the right opportunity. Because only if they are ready to absorb the message then only there’s a point in giving the message. Reminding them in a non-insulting way is what I follow essentially.
Do you have any message for a non-vegan?
Just like our life matters, the life of animals also matter. The way we don’t want to suffer, be enslaved or be separated by our children, the same goes for the animals. They are similar to us and feel suffering, pleasure and the desire to live. We do have a choice to consume, they don’t have that choice.
Is it hard to be vegan in non-metro cities and other towns of India?
Alternatives are not necessities and are meant only for the tastebuds. So, it’s not difficult to be vegan there, just they’ll need a little more control on taste buds as compared to cities like Bangalore. Also yeah, a lot of alternatives can be made at home and most of the Indian food is also vegan apart from dairy products.
During your animal rights activism and outreaches, have you come across people in India who were non-vegetarian earlier and became vegan?
Many!! I know Bengalis, Malayalis who were non-veg and became vegan. I know people from Muslim backgrounds also who became vegan. Americans, whose whole family was meat eater and hunters are vegan now. For us, it is not that difficult as compared to western people. Because here at least someone will be vegetarian but there in western countries it’s like a battle for them because their whole community is a meat-eater.
Anything else you want to share?
Since we all have participated in animal abuse, suffering and slavery intentionally or unintentionally, it’s not enough to just go vegan. We need to pay for what we've done. We should fight for animals to be liberated because we’re obligated to do more than just becoming vegan.