Dear Friends,
My new story, Sal and Vikas, has been published in Kitaab. Do share this short story with your friends if you like it. Thank you:)
Archives
Haiku -Monsoon Rain
Monsoon rain
frogs unite
for a symphony
Steady Heart
Every time you fly the fighter aircraft
With a steady heart and focussed thoughts
Equipped with years of training
Your country shivers for you
Strangers pray for you
Spare a thought for your family
Think of your expectant nation
And pause a minute
With a shred of humanity
Still in your heart
Think of your enemy
A victim of your destruction
Prepared to strike back
Both automated to perish
Following somebody’s orders
Who would sign treaties
And shake hands
After nothing is left
And everyone is gone
Another Precious Life
He bought me from a village fair
Marvelled at my wool so rare
And fed me with love and care
I bleated my gratitude
Flourished under his concern
Played with his children
One day I realized his farce
When he shot his horse
The same one he had patted
Praised and petted
Then I saw him bargain
Greed in eyes
Money in hands
He gave me no look
As I was pushed into the truck
Crowded with sheep my size
We bleated away
Pleading for mercy
And I understood the world
Where the weak are trampled
Where strength and money
Overtake kindness and humanity
And I came of age
A few moments before my impending death
Are You Ready to Turn a Vegan Yet?
Why do people turn vegan? There may be a wide variety of reasons; the self-interest to stay and remain healthy could be one such reason. Another is to stay away from animal agriculture, brought about by a genuine concern for animals.
How do vegetarians differ from vegans?
Vegetarians are those who do not eat animals; except for eggs. They also tend to consume milk. Vegans are those who do not consume the aforesaid items, as well as honey. Apart from these, hard-core vegans also tend to avoid dressing up in clothes made from animal skin and products.
While people agree with the humanitarian and health aspects of taking up a vegan diet, they may not be ready to control their craving or self-indulgence. While there is no law restricting animal-consumption, it is a craving that should be suppressed in order to uphold ethical values. Turning vegan is a step by step process, which provides a feeling of satisfaction that you have contributed something to the society.
Vegan food is less expensive and also healthier when compared to non-vegetarian food. An appropriately researched and planned vegan diet can help you gain adequate nutrients while minimising cholesterol and fat. All it takes to turn vegan is gaining adequate information and having a lot of determination.
Celebrities who are Vegans
Some famous vegan celebrities include Natalie Portman, Alicia Silverstone, Casey Affleck, Demi Moore, Pamela Anderson and Toby Maguire.
The famous Paul McCartney once said, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.”
Save a Life, Be a Vegetarian
Are we not outraged that our pet animals are being consumed as delicacies in many countries? When do we realize that the animals that are not so human-friendly or ‘cute’ should also be accorded the same level of compassion? The same argument can be put forth for people who avoid eating reptiles out of revulsion, but devour other living things.
Be it the moral aspect, health or the intellectual view – an in-depth consideration of any of these aspects would point to a vegetarian life. Taking the moral view, every living thing has a right to exist. Our hunting rabbits and deer for meat make us no less rational than lions and crocodiles, though we use sophisticated methods. Animals are bred in millions all over the world so that their meat can fill our dining tables and skin can adorn our bodies and feet. If vegetables produced in a local garden can satiate our hunger, why not exercise that choice? It is a proven fact that non-vegetarian diet has a negative impact on our health. Right from high blood pressure and constipation to kidney problems, tuberculosis and paralysis, non-vegetarian food could cause all these problems. Take the intellectual view to think about the destruction of rainforests and water pollution caused by meat producers. Meat consumption all over the world could also lead to extinction of some animals. Imagine the future generation not knowing what a deer is!
Lastly, every religion stresses on compassion to fellow humans. Why not extend the same towards other living things? If men are superior as a race, why not be more responsible?
