Vegetarianism

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi.

Even during these days vegetarians find it hard to travel and are always worried about getting vegetarian food. In many places in the world people can never believe that one can live totally on vegetarian food.

Even in place like San Jose, the case is the same. I find that many Indians who have migrated to the west, whose families are pure as well as orthodox vegetarians, have accepted non-vegetarianism on two counts— the problems faced in getting materials and preparing vegetarian food and cost. Non-vegetarian food is cheap, compared to vegetarian food and the difficulties in cooking that. In such regions you get a variety of cheap non-vegetarian food.

Vegetarianism is a deeply rooted thing and considered to be part of Hindu culture and of its religion, Hinduism. Even people, who are non-vegetarians, do not take non-vegetarian food on certain important dates, considered to have religious importance.

Many claim that physical strength has a direct relationship with non-vegetarian food and vegetarianism is associated with moral strength and will power. While the former is disputable the later seems to have some truth in it.

To Gandhi, vegetarianism was the base from which renunciation and satyagraha evolved. They became the most powerful weapons before which all guns and cannons became helpless.

A taste of meat is only a remnant of age old days. If only Man comes out of it, he can call himself of the most modern.

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