@vasukinv _/\_ Respect man.

There seems to be a misunderstanding, @VeganCaramel. Some governors from Indian National Congress party try to flatter Muslims and Christians by rejecting the bills that are passed by the government for anti-cow slaughter act and show themselves as though they are heroes. There might be 10-15 Hindus in the country who run (cow) leather factories.
Example of the state where I live: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/im-a-brahmin-dont-tell-me-about-cow-protection-karnataka-governor_100427277.html
I haven’t posted it from the point of view of a Hindu. As a matter of fact, I consider myself not belonging to any religion at all.

And about taking milk – we don’t suck milk out of the cow completely using the machines like you do in the Western Countries. Watch this video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHRxD1j-O1U – this is the way we take the milk from cow, after letting the calf drink some milk, and letting the calf drink again after extraction. If this system was killing the cows – or causing any problems (like what happened to Dodos because of some greedy Europeans), they would have been extinct hundreds of years ago. We take benefits from cow in the all possible ways, but not by hurting them. They run to you when called without expecting food. We take care of them when they are ill. Sometimes, when they feel like it’s not appropriate time for us to take milk, they kick. We let them alone for that time. Visit India (in a group, for your own security) and visit the villages and see the reality.

About the article – it seems like what you know is what you heard in media. Esp. some British entities like to write about India in the negative ways and support those who do (Ex: A White Tiger by Aravind Adiga was awarded as Best of Booker, Slum Dog Millionaire got many academy awards, British officials criticized Chandrayan saying India doesn’t even have provided the fundamental facilities to its citizens etc.) The list goes on. So don’t give them a shit – if you still do, you’re going to waste your time.

Some people find my phrases to be a bit aggressive. Anyway, I don’t mean it. I’ve inherited vegetarianism from the family. Most of you are the ones who have made a great decision to live with a better inter-species coordination (maybe some for health), which is an awesome thing. Love you all.

-VASUKi

yeah i am a pure vegan being an indian it has helped me alot.proud to be an indian..

As far as I’ve learned on the subject of cows in India, there’s a lot of cognitive dissonance. People elsewhere are told that it is tradition to treat cows as a holy being, and yet the leather industry in India still exists thanks to the common bribery of legal officials.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/how-indias-sacred-cows-are-beaten-abused-and-poisoned-to-make-leather-for-high-street-shops-724696.html

What’s more cognitive dissonance is to claim that cows are sacred and yet to exploit them for their milk, and even to the extent of not wondering or caring how the cow’s child will survive without it.

I think it’d be great to reach out to those “vegetarians” and let them know why hurting all animals is wrong.

But the sad thing is day by day,the number of vegetarians are are also decreasing!
With the advent of foreign fast food chains like Mcdonalds,KFC and others,even the staunch vegetarians are sometimes overwhelmed.

And also,cows here were slaughtered a lot for leather.I’m not sure to what extent that is still going on!

I’ve been to India and I found everyone to be incredibly understanding about vegetarianism, and even about veganism to some degree. The only time someone got a bit confused was when they asked me if my diet choice was religious reasons and I said “not really”, I guess they hadn’t heard of anyone choosing to live meat–free for ethical reasons.

hi vineet,
i totally understand what you mean. i’m facing somewhat of a problem back here in malaysia because there’s a confusion as to whether or not cows are being harmed because of the diversity in races. yes the hindu’s here would never want to hurt a cow because it is sacred. Although, in Islam, during their Korban festival, the muslims actually sacrifice cows and they prolly eat beef on a daily basis as well. so there’s sort of a confusion as to whether cows actually are harmed or not. I guess the only time i would ever consume a dairy product would be in india because they do not harm cows there. i suppose it’s ok to get dairy as long as it’s free range and you are sure that what you are consuming is not bringing harm to the animal that is providing it..
being a vegan indian in malaysia is really hard. i’ve managed to stay vegan for a week now.. but there are times i feel like giving up and being lacto veg too but the confusion on whether i’m getting milk that isnt stained with cruelty is always going to be there and most products here contain milk.. =S

• This reply was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by  darshini.

For decades or maybe centuries,the definition of Vegetarian in India has been what the rest of the world calls lacto-vegetarian.
In India,Cows are considered holy,at least by the majority Hindu population.
So even the thought of hurting a cow doesn’t arise.
And milk and dairy products is a regular in the daily life of an average Indian.

I would like to know all your opinions on it!
Cheers!