'It is not a question
of principle or health alone'
Eat scientifically, be a vegetarian
NT Bureau
Chennai, Oct 9:
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S Gurumoorthy, columnist, addressing the gathering
during the World Photo: G Venkatesh |
Why should one go vegan? If plants, which are living
organisms, can be consumed, why can't animals and birds be? After all, aren't
they also perishable?
If the debate rages elsewhere it it understandable
but that it does in this land of vegetarianism, which was championed by among
others Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira, Gandhiji and Vallalar, is explicable.
But let us not go into the issues of principles now.
Being a vegetarian helps one keep good heath. The reason is as simple as that
and good enough, too.
Vegetarian diet is nutritionally-balanced,
scientifically sound, healthy and humane, ethically unassailable, ecologically
superior, has a natural flavour and also tastes delicious. It is the natural
diet of man and was popular in the country till it came under the influence of
the West.
To propagate the advantage and spirit of
vegetarianism in the country, the Indian Vegetarian Congress (IVC) was formed
in the year 1959 by social worker Rukmini Devi Arundale
With its headquarters in the city, the IVC now has
around 2,000 members all over the country. It conducts various programmes on
the occasion of World Vegetarian Day, observed in the first week of October
every year, to disseminate information on this scientific way of living and to
develop an attitude of reverence towards all life forms, kindness to animals
and to avoid their exploitation by man.
A public meeting was organised here Thursday
coinciding with the observance of the day this year which was attended by,
among others, members of the public, IVC members and students.
In his address, Sri Vidyasagara Madhava Thirtha of
Sriman Madhava Moola Naha Samasthanam, Madhava Mutt, Kolar, said
anti-vegetarianism would destruct the very essence of humaneness.
Vedas had never supported the sacrifice of animals
in yagnas, he said and added that Yajur Veda was misunderstood by many.
Gurumoorthy, columnist, who presided over the
meeting, said vegetarianism was growing all over the world now with the help of
scientific support. Regretting that 'modernity' was seeking to legitimise
non-vegetarianism, he said vegetarians still remained the most-respected
persons in society.
N Tarachand Durgar, president, IVC, S Vijaikumar
Bafna, general secretary, IVC, P M Gopalakrishna, chairman, Celebration
Committee and N Mahalingam, former president, IVC, were also present at the
meeting.