A software developer and an animal lover. She
loves gardening, painting, singing and upcycling waste products into useful
products. All her upcycling experiments can be found on Instagram at
@thesoulmushroom.
What made you go vegan?
As a kid, I was fascinated by nature and
animals. A year ago, I read articles on how animals are tortured and brutally
murdered just so we can include another dish on our menu, which devastated me.
After that phase of research, I became a vegetarian and partly vegan. I have a
sweet tooth and I used to occasionally eat sweets and desserts until a few
months back. I felt guilty for eating them at times, but I also realized that
it's a journey and we don't need to be perfect from the start. Instead, it's
the steady transition that matters. Now, my mom makes vegan sweets for me with
plant-based milk and I am happy to see them transitioning too!
How was your transition phase or initial days
being vegan?
It was a gradual process. I remember watching
some videos online. When I saw those videos, it was enlightening yet
disturbing. I felt really bad for eating meat all my life. I started reducing
my consumption. At first, I made sure that I had meat no more than once or
twice in a month. Gradually, I no longer felt any craving to eat non-veg food.
So, I first turned vegetarian. After that, I turned vegan around 5-6 months
back.
Any particular struggle you faced being vegan
and would like to talk about?
I used to find it hard to explain to people
why I turned into a vegan in the first place, especially to relatives and
colleagues. But, now I feel that everyone needs to know this. This is something
that could change their life in many aspects: their health, self-awareness
levels or life choices. After months of research, I realised the health
benefits of a vegan diet and its power to reverse diseases and heal the body.
What was the final turning point which made
you take the decision?
There was a turkey that came from a farm near
my house. I don't know how but my dog, Ramu, and that turkey became really good
friends. Once, my dog saved the turkey from a cat. They play together and enjoy
themselves. It's really weird and nice to see them. Usually, dogs don't do
that.
After seeing their bond, I felt that if a dog
can have such a conscience and make a choice to not eat the turkey, given he
has enough food, can't we as humans who call ourselves ‘elite beings’, make the
choice? Why can’t we do so when there are alternatives?
How difficult was it from non-veg to become
vegetarian and then vegan?
It was not very difficult but I felt like it
was the peer pressure in the initial stage that delayed my transition. My
relatives and friends would ask why am I suddenly not eating non-vegetarian
food. I found it a little hard to tell all of them in my initial days. Apart
from that, the transition was gradual and easy. I feel really happy that I took
this step. Now, I see great improvement in my health and my thyroid is healing.
I feel better and more compassionate towards other beings as well.
How was veganism received by your family and
friends? How did they react?
They were surprised by my sudden decision.
They argued saying “Even plants are living beings, so should we stop eating
plants?”. I explained that plants don't have a central nervous system and they
don't have pain receptors. It's not required to cause suffering to other beings
in order for us to survive. We have better choices and alternatives which are
healthy as well as tasty.
In the case of my family, I'm telling more
about why I'm vegan and how it benefits everyone. My parents are animal lovers
and love gardening. Feeding animals like birds, squirrels, and stray dogs is
their everyday routine. But they are not very aware of the systematic
oppression happening. They think that without dairy, they won't get calcium and
other vitamins. Gradually, I'm making them more aware and now they are trying
to reduce the consumption of non-vegetarian products. They've almost turned
vegetarian.
Earlier they were concerned about me and
opposed my decision. But I was very stern and didn't change my opinion. When
they realised that I was serious about my decision, they started trying to know
more about veganism. I told them everything about it and the animal cruelty in
the dairy and meat industries. I also told them about the health benefits of a
plant based diet. I explained how it is traumatic to all the animals as well as
for us to consume antibiotics. They also started their research and I feel so
happy about it.
How is the transition for your parents?
They haven't adopted veganism completely.
However, they have reduced their meat intake to a large extent except for the
occasions when they go out. It was quite easy even for them because we don't
eat out a lot. The only problem that occurs is when people keep questioning
them when we go to family gatherings. Otherwise, it's not very tough.
Please tell us more about your upcycling and
gardening.
I always try to make something useful out of
waste products. Since I'm into gardening, I upcycle all the plastic waste that
I have gathered over the years into planters. Mostly, I grow plants in them, or
make some art and home decor pieces and gift them to my friends. I love art and
music too, so I try to incorporate that into my upcycling experiments. I make
gift items out of upcycled products. For example, I use coconut shells to grow
plants or to store jewellery or as food bowls. I try to upcycle as many waste
products as I can.
I started an Instagram page called
thesoulmushroom recently. I want to document my journey of upcycling and
conscious living in it. I post upcycling ideas on it. I created it so that
others can also get inspired to live a more low-waste and eco-friendly
life.
A message for non vegans...
You don't need to be perfect. Start slowly by
just limiting your animal product consumption and transition into a vegan
lifestyle. Also, ask yourself why you want to go vegan. This is the most
important part and don't shy away from doing your own research. I promise
you'll never regret this decision :)