Veganism: Change for a better tomorrow.

What is Veganism or being Vegan? 

Veganism is the practice of not using any kind of animal product. It is a lifestyle that excludes all animal products and the exploitation or cruelty to animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Today most of us are taking a lot of effort for more sustainability or to reduce carbon footprints and what not! But did you know? No or less consumption of dairy and meat products, you can reduce the number of carbon footprints and save the planet than by having short showers or using more public vehicles or cycling. Interesting, isn’t it? Let me prove it to you by facts then!

The livestock industry not only plays a major role in Global warming but it is also the leading cause of environmental degradation today which is destroying the planet today. UNITED NATIONS mention in a study that raising cattle for food produces more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation system of the world which is 51% to 13%. Raising animals for food consumes 1/3 of the world’s fresh water and 45% of the world’s land.

Did you know? 3 out of every 4 infectious diseases come for our use of animals. This not only includes COVID-19 but SARS, BIRD FLU, EBOLA, MAD COW DISEASE, etc. COVID-19 is bad enough but it’s only a matter of time before the next one appears, then the next one, and the next one, until we finally learn to leave the animals alone!

Ask these questions to yourself:

1. Are animals meant to be killed or be served as your food as it tastes good?
2. Doesn’t the killing of innocent animals hurt you or make you feel sad? 

Well if it does hurt you then what about the Goats/Buffalos/Chickens/Fishs /Pigs which were killed for your meal? Did you know? Cows are forcefully made pregnant or even if they are naturally pregnant, once their calf is born, most of the milk which is deserved by the calf from his/her mother is not given to them. Instead, they are raped forcefully and every day just for some milk. Do you really think it's worth it? Also once the cow is not able to get pregnant after a certain age just like us humans, they are sold to slaughterhouses where they are brutally killed and their skin is ripped off and made into leather and their meat is sold. The same case is with goats and other animals. This is just the case with cows imagine about chicken, pigs and all the animals which have been slaughtered just for your one meal or your one piece of cloth. 

But how can I suddenly stop eating animals or stop the consumption of dairy products? They are so rich in protein and give all the essential nutrients and vitamins. But have you ever wondered how do these animals get all the proteins or vitamins and nutrients? They just eat plants and grass! In fact, chickens are injected so that they look more fluffy. Animals are just middlemen. It has been proved that all the major muscles of the human body work on carbohydrates which is more overly found in plants. 

Top athletes like Virat Kohli, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic are all plant-based athletes. Kuntal Joisher, he has climbed to the very top of Mt. Everest on completely plant-based diet and clothing and that too twice! If all of these athletes can reach the peak of their fitness being plant-based, what is stopping you? 

But isn’t the killing of plants also the same? They are also living beings. They also feel pain. So looking at it scientifically, plants are insentient creatures. The difference between sentient and insentient is that the sentient creature is someone who can feel pain or suffering and has consciousness. To be sentient, a living being needs to possess a brain and central nervous system which is connected to different receptors. And when you don’t have receptors you cannot feel, touch, smell, or see anything. And hence it proves that though plants are living beings, they do not feel pain. 

Everything mentioned earlier has been bagged by scientific studies and if you doubt it, you are just away from a google search! For more information and details, you can watch movies and documentaries like “The Game Changers” or “Cowspiracy”. 

Lastly, tangible action is what matters. Animals just do not want to get eaten or killed. I want to encourage people to start taking small baby steps in the right direction. Choose progress over perfection. The end goal is to save as many animal lives as possible. Every single meal you eat, every single choice you make has an impact. Instead of questioning someone for doing it, focus on what you have done for the cause. Do your bit, that’s more than enough! So let’s break all the myths and stigmas and be more compassionate towards animals and our planet. Just think once DOES YOUR FOOD NEED TO COME AT THE COST OF SOMEONE's LIFE?

Also, if you find this piece of information useful and meaningful, do share it and spread the word!

Much love and respect.

Written by,

Rtr. Khush Gala,

Rotaract Club of Thane East.