BENGALURU: Ask non-vegans what they think about veganism; t, they often opine that milk is necessary for bone health. To this, Nitya Ramakrishnan, a founding member of the citizen group Whitefield Rising, counters the question, “If milk is good for bones, how are so many cases of osteoporosis reported among dairy consumers?” Myths like these, among others, that vegan alternatives are expensive are what Ramakrishnan hopes to bust through ‘The Kind Fest’ – an event that Whitefielorganizedis are organizing. The festival aims to raise awareness around the term ‘vegan’ and to help people understand the implications of their food choices with a non-judgemental approach.
Remya Sasi, a volunteer, added that this is an easy time to switch to veganism as there are more accessible options in the city, including desserts and ice cream. Agreed Ramakrishnan, who turned vegan five years ago, said the options available are wider today than back then. “If people come to the fest, they can learn how they can find cheaper alternatives and identify locally available produce,” she said.
According to Ramakrishnan, veganism can impact The environment, animal cruelty, and health. “Studies state it takes ten times the resources to produce 1 kg of meat than 1 kg of greens. Also, animals suffer the same pain as us, and they are killed so brutally. The health benefits of a plant-based diet have already been proven by many celebrities such as James Cameron and Leonardo Di Caprio,” she explained.
The event is being organized on March 31 at The Forum Neighbourhood Mall, Whitefield Main Road. There will be stalls with products ranging from vegan chocolate, cheese, milk, and cakes to shoes, bags, cosmetics, home care products, and clothing. Besides this, there will also be a puppy adoption space by the NGO Let’s Live Together. PETA will organize virtual reality demonstrations, giving visitors further insight into how to make simple switches in our daily lives to move towards a sustainable life. Sasi added that all the proceeds would go to animal welfare organizations to help rescue animals in the city.
