New Delhi   

‘It is time to turn vegetarian’

Veg. in vogue: Rajneesh Duggal in a PETA poster.

Nominated one of the “Hottest Vegetarians Alive” in a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals poll, model-actor Rajneesh Duggal makes no bones about his preference for greens.

Showing off a brilliant green tattoo of his favourite vegetable -- okra -- on his back as part of the latest PETA campaign, Rajneesh says he quit consuming non-vegetarian food 12 years ago after seeing chickens being killed in a butcher’s shop.

“It was really gross and made me feel sick. After hearing about the cruelty involved in raising and killing animals for human consumption, I have begun advocating vegetarianism to all my friends,” says he.

A State-level judo champion, Rajneesh doesn’t consider that he is depriving his body of proteins by staying away from meat.

“One does not have to eat meat and eggs to get enough proteins. Soya, legumes and pulses are packed with proteins. I have observed meat eaters struggling with their weight, but I have no trouble keeping fit,” he says.

It is a fact that millions of chickens spend their entire lives confined to tiny cages in huge warehouses. Each cage contains six to seven birds that are packed so closely together that they have no room to stretch their wings. Mass rearing and killing of animals is possibly one of the cruellest activities undertaken by man.

According to the United Nations, eating meat is not just unhealthy but also disastrous for the environment. A 2006 U.N. report states: “Raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.”

In the words of Rajneesh Duggal, “The best thing you can do for animals, the earth and your own well-being is to go vegetarian. It does not require a lot of effort and the rewards are long-lasting and bountiful.”

Kunal Diwan

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

‘It is time to turn vegetarian’
Waiting for a new Kishore
Kalam conferred D. Litt degree
Two killed in mishap
Saraswati Samman presented
Spotlight on disaster management
‘Training of drug law enforcement agencies needed’
EC to hear claims of MDMK rebels on Monday
Kodanad Estate moves Supreme Court
DJB offices to remain open on weekends
Art critic to deliver lecture at JNU
National Moot Court competition
Details of working conditions at C’wealth Games site sought
Praying to the Lord
Rape accused acquitted
Murder accused freed after 19 years
Lecture by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Tigress, two cubs ‘sighted’ near Tumkur
High Court issues notice to M.P. Govt.
Protest dharna by NPCC workers
Art that leads to enlightenment
Woman commits suicide
Two young men injured by DTC bus
A lot at stake for Congress in Sunday’s rally
Auto-rickshaw driver commits suicide
Nehru Brigade joins felicitation ceremony
Delhi University asks all its colleges to fall in line
“Need to amend law to deal with custodial deaths”
House full
Teenaged boy dies in scuffle
In the capital today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu