International day of Non- Violence 2 October.
Global Campaign For Vegetarian And Vegan Living Launched On Gandhi Jayanti As Health Experts And Advocates Warn Against Ultra-Processed Diets And Dairy Exploitation.
NEW DELHI
A three-month international awareness campaign advocating plant-based nutrition, conscious consumption, and animal welfare was launched on Friday 2 October 2026 during an international webinar organized by Uday Manna Founder National Convener RJS PBH -RJS Positive Media to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and the International Day of Non-Violence. Uday Manna remembered Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Lal Bahadur Shastri ji (birthday 2 October)
The initiative, scheduled to run through December 31, seeks to build grassroots awareness across educational institutions and community platforms in India and overseas. Organizers announced that the campaign will conduct at least five interactive workshops each month, primarily engaging schoolchildren, youth, and homemakers, culminating in a mass pledge gathering in the national capital early next year ahead of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Republic Day events.
The launch brought together public hospital clinical nutritionists, socio-religious leaders, and diaspora activists from the United Kingdom and Thailand. Discussions centered on the escalating public health crisis caused by ultra-processed foods, the ethical contradictions within commercial dairy farming, and the environmental sustainability of plant-based diets.
The ethical and structural issues underlying animal agriculture were detailed by Pornthep SriNarula, widely known as Acharya Paul Narula, founder and chief executive of the Bangkok International Vegan Alliance. Narula, a third-generation Thai-Indian who renounced dairy products 42 years ago following a visit to an industrial dairy facility north of Bangkok, described the systematic abuse inflicted upon milch cattle. He stated that commercial milk production relies on repeated artificial insemination, early separation of newborn calves, continuous hormonal injections, and the slaughter of non-lactating cows and male calves.
Narula drew attention to the paradox between India’s cultural veneration of cattle and its status in global trade, pointing out that India consistently ranks among the world’s leading exporters of beef and leather products. Announcing the 35th anniversary of his organization, established on Gandhi Jayanti in 1991, Narula confirmed that a delegation of twenty American animal welfare advocates would arrive in Thailand to participate in an annual nine-day vegetarian festival starting October 10. He also outlined his ongoing educational lectures within Thai Buddhist temples, aimed at reconciling monastics with vegetarian principles.
From London, Nitin Mehta, recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire honor and founder of the Indian Vegetarian Society, reflected on the historical roots of the non-violence philosophy. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s departure for England in 1888, Mehta noted that Gandhi’s commitment to vegetarianism began as a filial vow administered by a Jain monk before evolving into an informed ethical conviction after reading Western vegetarian literature in London.
Mehta reported a tangible cultural shift across Western Europe, observing that growing segments of populations in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland are abandoning meat consumption due to environmental awareness and animal ethics. He pointed out that livestock agriculture generates an unsustainable ecological burden, consuming vast volumes of potable water and grains to sustain over a hundred billion farm animals annually while the global human population stands at approximately eight billion.
Mehta also cautioned urban Indian consumers against the unexamined, heavy consumption of dairy paneer, arguing that industrially sourced paneer contributes to digestive and cardiovascular strain. He stressed that dietary changes must be coupled with physical exercise and yoga to yield long-term preventive benefits. Mehta backed plans to submit a formal memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office urging policy interventions against commercial beef exports.
NEW DELHI
A three-month international awareness campaign advocating plant-based nutrition, conscious consumption, and animal welfare was launched on Friday 2 October 2026 during an international webinar organized by Uday Manna Founder National Convener RJS PBH -RJS Positive Media to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and the International Day of Non-Violence. Uday Manna remembered Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Lal Bahadur Shastri ji (birthday 2 October)
The initiative, scheduled to run through December 31, seeks to build grassroots awareness across educational institutions and community platforms in India and overseas. Organizers announced that the campaign will conduct at least five interactive workshops each month, primarily engaging schoolchildren, youth, and homemakers, culminating in a mass pledge gathering in the national capital early next year ahead of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Republic Day events.
The launch brought together public hospital clinical nutritionists, socio-religious leaders, and diaspora activists from the United Kingdom and Thailand. Discussions centered on the escalating public health crisis caused by ultra-processed foods, the ethical contradictions within commercial dairy farming, and the environmental sustainability of plant-based diets.
The ethical and structural issues underlying animal agriculture were detailed by Pornthep SriNarula, widely known as Acharya Paul Narula, founder and chief executive of the Bangkok International Vegan Alliance. Narula, a third-generation Thai-Indian who renounced dairy products 42 years ago following a visit to an industrial dairy facility north of Bangkok, described the systematic abuse inflicted upon milch cattle. He stated that commercial milk production relies on repeated artificial insemination, early separation of newborn calves, continuous hormonal injections, and the slaughter of non-lactating cows and male calves.
Narula drew attention to the paradox between India’s cultural veneration of cattle and its status in global trade, pointing out that India consistently ranks among the world’s leading exporters of beef and leather products. Announcing the 35th anniversary of his organization, established on Gandhi Jayanti in 1991, Narula confirmed that a delegation of twenty American animal welfare advocates would arrive in Thailand to participate in an annual nine-day vegetarian festival starting October 10. He also outlined his ongoing educational lectures within Thai Buddhist temples, aimed at reconciling monastics with vegetarian principles.
From London, Nitin Mehta, recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire honor and founder of the Indian Vegetarian Society, reflected on the historical roots of the non-violence philosophy. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s departure for England in 1888, Mehta noted that Gandhi’s commitment to vegetarianism began as a filial vow administered by a Jain monk before evolving into an informed ethical conviction after reading Western vegetarian literature in London.
Mehta reported a tangible cultural shift across Western Europe, observing that growing segments of populations in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland are abandoning meat consumption due to environmental awareness and animal ethics. He pointed out that livestock agriculture generates an unsustainable ecological burden, consuming vast volumes of potable water and grains to sustain over a hundred billion farm animals annually while the global human population stands at approximately eight billion.
Mehta also cautioned urban Indian consumers against the unexamined, heavy consumption of dairy paneer, arguing that industrially sourced paneer contributes to digestive and cardiovascular strain. He stressed that dietary changes must be coupled with physical exercise and yoga to yield long-term preventive benefits. Mehta backed plans to submit a formal memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office urging policy interventions against commercial beef exports.
Dr. Manisha Verma, a senior dietitian at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, cautioned that changing dietary habits and aggressive marketing of packaged foods are triggering severe lifestyle diseases among young children. Addressing the clinical aspects of nutrition, Dr. Verma noted that hospital pediatric wards are witnessing an unprecedented influx of children as young as five to ten years suffering from fatty liver disease, juvenile diabetes, and obesity.
Dr. Verma emphasized that an adequate vegetarian regimen must be built around a balanced plate rather than excessive carbohydrates or deep-fried snacks. She advised dividing meals systematically: filling half the plate with diverse fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with whole unrefined grains or traditional millets such as ragi and bajra, and the remaining quarter with dense plant protein sources, including pulses, legumes, soybeans, nuts, and seeds.
Mutual amino acid supplementation found in traditional Indian food pairings, such as lentils and rice in khichdi or dal and whole-wheat roti, provides complete protein profiles, Dr. Verma explained. She highlighted dietary fiber as a critical defense against metabolic disorders, pointing out that plant-derived soluble and insoluble fibers stabilize blood sugar levels, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and support cardiovascular health. Dr. Verma also warned consumers against the habitual late-afternoon intake of fried savories with tea, identifying tea-time snacks laden with trans-fats and excessive sodium as a primary driver of unseen caloric surplus. She urged families to read nutritional information panels on packaged products and substitute processed items with sprouts, roasted fox nuts, and whole foods.
Dr. Manindra Jain, executive chairman of the Jain International Organisation and national president of the Shri Digambar Jain Mahasamiti, presided over the session. Arriving from Saudi Arabia, Dr. Jain observed that plant-based food options are proliferating even in traditionally meat-heavy West Asian markets, catering to the large Indian expatriate community as well as local residents. He noted historical parallels from travels in East Africa, citing Ethiopian fasting customs that entirely exclude meat and dairy.
Dr. Jain pledged institutional resources and sponsorships to print informative literature and coordinate with school administrators across the country to facilitate the upcoming awareness drives. He also outlined extensive social and community projects underway, including the establishment of an eleven-acre spiritual center in Goa, scheduled for a foundation ceremony on November 22 by the state Chief Minister, as well as the construction of maternity hospitals in Ashoknagar, Lalitpur, and Jhansi. He added that an upcoming delegation to Sri Lanka on October 5 would pursue cultural and dietary outreach in collaboration with local lawmakers.
Uday Manna, convenor of RJS Positive Media, tied the campaign to the organization’s recent three-month voluntary blood donation drive inaugurated on September 30 at the Indian Red Cross Society national headquarters in New Delhi alongside Joint Secretary Dr. Vanshree Singh and former Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital blood bank head Dr. Kiran Choudhary. Manna argued that public advocacy must combine physical health, compassion toward all living beings, and positive civic mobilization. He also cited the ongoing demonstration in Delhi by grassroots activist Damit Gahlot, who walked 700 kilometers from Bikaner to protest against food adulteration and synthetic chemicals in commercial consumables.
Participants in Webinar were
Dr. Manindra Jain, executive chairman of the Jain International Organisation and national president of the Shri Digambar Jain Mahasamiti, presided over the session. Arriving from Saudi Arabia, Dr. Jain observed that plant-based food options are proliferating even in traditionally meat-heavy West Asian markets, catering to the large Indian expatriate community as well as local residents. He noted historical parallels from travels in East Africa, citing Ethiopian fasting customs that entirely exclude meat and dairy.
Dr. Jain pledged institutional resources and sponsorships to print informative literature and coordinate with school administrators across the country to facilitate the upcoming awareness drives. He also outlined extensive social and community projects underway, including the establishment of an eleven-acre spiritual center in Goa, scheduled for a foundation ceremony on November 22 by the state Chief Minister, as well as the construction of maternity hospitals in Ashoknagar, Lalitpur, and Jhansi. He added that an upcoming delegation to Sri Lanka on October 5 would pursue cultural and dietary outreach in collaboration with local lawmakers.
Uday Manna, convenor of RJS Positive Media, tied the campaign to the organization’s recent three-month voluntary blood donation drive inaugurated on September 30 at the Indian Red Cross Society national headquarters in New Delhi alongside Joint Secretary Dr. Vanshree Singh and former Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital blood bank head Dr. Kiran Choudhary. Manna argued that public advocacy must combine physical health, compassion toward all living beings, and positive civic mobilization. He also cited the ongoing demonstration in Delhi by grassroots activist Damit Gahlot, who walked 700 kilometers from Bikaner to protest against food adulteration and synthetic chemicals in commercial consumables.
Participants in Webinar were
Uday Shankar Singh Kushwaha, Sadhak
Dr. Om Prakash ,Binda Manna, Sunil Kumar Singh, Dr. Rashmi Choubey,
Sunil Arya, Nikhil Pal, Akanksha, Rajendra Singh Kushwaha, Rajendra Singh Kushwaha Mayank, Dinesh Kumar Kushwaha and J P Kushwaha etc. and Other participants, affirmed their participation in conducting community-level discussions. The organizers confirmed that internal working committees will finalize operational plans this week to deploy volunteers across schools, women’s associations, and civic groups ahead of the mid-winter campaign assembly.
RJS POSITIVE MEDIA
91+ 8368626368.
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