Be a vegetarian, curb terrorism

CHENNAI: “Vegetarianism promotes non-violence, vegetarianism curbs terrorism.” These words from Tarachand Dugar, National President of The Indian Vegetarian Congress, at an Ahimsa walk in the Theosophical Society on Sunday, made many think deeply about the topic.Keeping in tune with Gandhiji’s non-violence principles on the occasion of his 142nd birth anniversary, the Ahimsa walk was organised by the Indian Vegetarian Congress as part of the World Vegetarian Week. Around 650 students and several popular Chennaiites participated in the walk that was flagged off by Radha Burnier, International President of Theosophical Society, in the presence of film director Mani Ratnam.School children, dressed as Gandhiji, Rukmini Arundale, Amitabh Bachchan and Viswanathan Anand, led the walk symbolically conveying the message - ‘Be Veg, Be Non Violent‘. The Ahimsa walkers went around the pristine Theosophical Society campus.Mani Ratnam expressed happiness at having been a part of the walk and asked students to follow vegetarianism.Tarachand Dugar pointed out the benefits of vegetarianism. “I firmly believe people who are vegetarians are less likely to be aggressive compared to non-vegetarians. Vegetarianism calms one’s mind and it is also very healthy, easy to digest. Vegetarianism results in being healthy. Being healthy is wealthy.”S Harihara Raghavan, GM, Theosophical Society, said, “It is important that people follow vegetarianism to maintain the ecological balance of the earth.”The Indian Vegetarian Congress, based  in Chennai, plans to open up more chapters in other cities and towns. As a part of the World Vegetarian Week, they are planting 1,000 saplings in Chennai. They also plan to take their tree planting drive to other parts of the state and country to curb ecological hazards such as global warming.Sanjay Bansali, co-chairperson for the Ahimsa walk, spoke about their ‘Food For Hunger’ project, which plans to supply vegetarian food to the orphanages and homes for the aged.”The Indian Vegetarian Congress was started in 1959 with the purpose of promoting healthy living. As a part of World Vegetarian Week, they also plan to conduct various competitions for school children on Thursday at AVM Rajeshwari Kalyanamandapam.