Chennai: For vegetarianism, it was a hat-trick of sorts, with
personalities from three varied fields — sports, media and the armed
forces — batting for it in unison here on Wednesday. Former master
blaster and chief selector of the Indian cricket team Krishnamachari
Srikanth, veteran journalist and sports writer R Mohan and naval officer
in-charge of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, Amar K Mahadevan (VSM), were
the chief guests at the inaugural of the Indian Vegetarian Congress,
organised by the Sahal Jain Shree Sangha Chaturmas Samitihi-2012.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohan said that it is easy to practise
vegetarianism today than in the 1970s and 80s, when it was not even
heard of in countries such as the West Indies and Australia. He added
that getting vegetarian food, while on tours there, was a serious
problem. “I could afford to skip meals and make do with bread; however,
for someone like Srikanth, who had to go out and perform, it wasn’t the
case. The Tamil community in such places would come to his rescue and
offer him cooked food from their homes. There have been instances when I
have visited his hotel room and savoured such food,” he reminisced.
He added that the temptation to yield to non-vegetarian food
never arose to the duo, despite Srikanth’s team-mate Sunil Gavaskar
poking fun at them, stating that they were missing out on delicious
cuisine. Debunking the theory that vegetarians are not cut out for
strenuous activities such as sports, Mohan averred: “One must remember
that during the 1983 Cricket World Cup final, it was Srikanth, a
vegetarian, carting a battery of West Indian fast bowlers all over the
ground.”
Srikanth said that he had always been a vegetarian and lauded the
Samithi for organising the event, which also includes competitive events
for children. “Every kid has a talent, which needs to be showcased
appropriately. Such events enable this. Live and let live should be our
guiding principle,” said Mahadevan.
He added that he had noticed many naval staff turning to
vegetarianism because of its values. Speakers on the occasion dwelt on
the benefits of vegetarianism, both health and ecological. Students from
various schools were present. Drawing, painting and cookery
competitions were also organised for college students and women as part
of the one-day event.
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