Bhubaneswar: Keeping Valentine’s Day in view, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India has come up with an innovative campaign using themes from Valentine’s Week to encourage young people to choose vegetarianism by quitting non-vegetarian foods. The organisation has placed billboards near universities and colleges in cities across the country, including Bhubaneswar, with novel and witty statements like ‘break up with this hot chick,’ nudging the youths to give up the practice of eating chickens. The billboard in Bhubaneswar has been placed outside the Baidyanath Memorial Hospital near Patia Chowk, Nandankanan Road. “All animals, from hens to humans, feel pain and fear, love their families, and value their own lives,” said PETA India Manager of Vegan Projects Kiran Ahuja.
“This Valentine’s Day, PETA India is calling on young people across India to show animals some love by choosing delicious, heart-healthy vegan meals,” Ahuja added that every person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals a year suffering and terrifying death in the meat and dairy industries. “Chickens, cows, pigs, goats, and other animals killed for food are roughly handled during transport and are often crammed into vehicles in high numbers.
Many sustain injuries, suffocate, or die on their way to slaughterhouses,” she said. Vegans are believed to be less likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, all of which are widespread health problems in India. “They are, on average, fitter and trimmer than meat-eaters. In addition, rearing animals for meat, eggs, and dairy is one of the leading causes of water pollution and land degradation, and a United Nations report has concluded that a global shift towards vegan eating is necessary to combat the worst effects of the climate catastrophe,” Ahuja said.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP