Arya Kumar wants to make a positive impact in everyone's life and for the planet. He loves working with electronics and coding. Playing tennis, cycling and cooking are his main hobbies. He also likes learning new technologies and working with students.
How was your journey towards veganism?
I was born in a non vegetarian family but my mother was
vegetarian. Till class 10th, I had eaten non veg not more than 20 times because
whenever I used to consume, my mom used to tell me to take bath, wash all
clothes etc. But my father was non vegetarian, so sometimes I used to have it.
After my class 10th, I attended a boarding school and then college. During that
time, I got the chance to eat more non-veg food without any restrictions. I
always used to think non veg isn't good. However, I was quite unaware about
dairy.
After college, I got a job in Pune. Before my job, I wasn't that addicted to
non veg. Then, I had more money to spend and gradually, I started consuming
more non-veg food. My brother was studying in NIT Bhopal. During vacations, he
used to come to Pune. Whenever he used to come, I would make non veg dishes. He
was into football and wanted to gain more muscles and become more fit.
Once, he had consumed so much non veg food in one of the food festivals in his
college that he got a severe stomach ache. When he got this ache, he searched
on YouTube regarding how to be vegetarian and remain fit. During this time, he
found the term vegan and started searching more and more about it. He got to
know about the various aspects of veganism. I think he didn't turn vegan
immediately. First, he became a vegetarian. Next time when he came, he told me
not to cook non veg food. I felt bad. That time we went to Dal Bati, a famous
Rajasthani style restaurant in Pune. Even though it was vegetarian, we enjoyed
the extra ghee served.
The next time he came, he said that he won't eat dairy products as
well. No ghee, no milk. I was really annoyed hearing this. There was a big
quarrel about this issue. I told him not to become a Sadhu. Then, he tried
explaining to me the reasons with his facts, but I ignored it. It looked to me
like a cult. When his college got over, he came to Pune for his job. I used to
think that eating chicken is not required, but I can eat fish. When I used to
see fish being killed, I didn't feel that kind of pain compared to a chicken. I
also used to think the fish industry is good for the environment. My brother
showed me a documentary called Seaspiracy. Then, I learned that around 60-80%
of Oxygen is actually coming from phytoplanktons.
I realised that veganism is something to consider. It can be a solution to
reduce global hunger too. It is also about not practicing cruelty towards
animals. I got to know about the artificial insemination being done to the cows
and various other cruel methods used in this industry. The next morning, on the
way to office, I just kept pondering about it. I realised that all the causes
which I have been wanting to advocate for, like saving the environment, loving
the animals, helping the poor etc, I am hindering by being a non vegan. I knew
I wouldn't be a non vegan for a long time. Finally, I told my brother that I
would be vegan and that I had made my mind up on my own.
How is it in the family?
For my brother, it was a bit difficult, because he had to face resistance from 3 people: me and my parents. Sometimes, I even used to force him. Right now, my father agrees to the facts and even shares my posts, but he is not quitting dairy. He agrees that whatever I am doing is good. However, after I became vegan, he has hardly eaten any non veg food. My mother is a vegetarian but she doesn't feel that dairy is wrong. She agrees to a few points, but hasn't made any conclusive thoughts.
What new things have you been involved in after turning vegan?
What’s interesting is that because of my brother, I became involved in activism before turning vegan. I used to suggest ideas about activism to him. Right now, I am looking into the PCMC activism group. Because of lockdown, street activism has stopped. We are focusing on our Youtube channel and other online media.
Share more about the PCMC group.
I have a holistic approach towards veganism, with focus on the core principle of animal rights. This group is more about animal cruelty. We make videos and other resources on topics related to dairy, honey, animal agriculture etc. We have already released 3-4 videos and are working on a few more. Post lockdown, we plan to resume street activism as well.
My way of activism is to go on argue mode with facts and making them aware about the real situation.
Being into sports, do you take any special care of your diet?
My brother is actually practicing a whole food plant based diet. In my case, I don't consume oil or fast food most of the time. I focus more on vegetables and fruits. As I tell everyone, one way of spreading veganism is to be healthy. People might get inspired by that.
Also when you're vegan and if you fall sick, everyone will blame it on veganism. I feel one good way of doing activism is to be healthy.
Any good discovery you made in food?
I am a bit of a foodie and when I was exploring veganism, I used to think that I would not be able to take this up. Whenever I used to go to new places, I used to go for that place's street food. When I became a vegan, I got to know many more food varieties which I had never eaten. Say quinoa, millet, many fruits like dragon fruit, muskmelon, various mushrooms, etc. There is a lot of food which we are not exploring.
Apart from my regular job, I also work on my personal robotics project. It was difficult to work on both the things at the same time, especially when you come home after a tiring office day. After quitting junk food and oil, I felt less tiredness. I was able to work with more focus.
I also try out recipes whenever I get time.Through that, I try to do activism in my own way by letting people know that veganism is not just ‘ghaas phoos’ :P
Anything else you would like to share...
For the vegans I would like them to start activism wherever possible. Being a vegan is not enough. At the same time, I would like them to respect everyone for their way of activism. Someone can deliver a good message through animal cruelty, someone can do so through the environmental view point and someone through health. Everyone should have the freedom in that.
People who don't like to do street activism can spread veganism through other ways. They can wear simple vegan themed t-shirts or they can wear some badge. They can stick stickers on their vehicles or at some other easily noticeable place. Many times, curious people ask about what it is. In short, in daily life, we can inculcate activism.