WIFW to spread human trafficking, animal rights awareness

New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) The upcoming Autumn-Winter edition of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW) is seeking to help social causes by spreading awareness about human trafficking and animal rights. Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the organising body for WIFW, has joined hands with 'YouCanFree.Us' in its campaign against human trafficking as well as PETA for its crusade against cruelty to animals. A special show by 12 designers has been included in the five-day fashion week, to begin on February 15, to support 'YouCanFree.Us', a not-for-profit organisation working towards rescuing and rehabilitating women who become victims of human trafficking in India. 

Designers like Manish Arora, Suneet Varma, JJ Valaya, Tarun Tahiliani, Shantanu-Nikhil and Ritu Beri will lend their support to the cause. The designers have lined up a showcase of their creations for the event with the theme - 'From Ashes to Beauty'. "In the past we have supported causes like breast cancer awareness, support for the girl child, campaign against child labour, awareness against drunken driving and helping autistic children. This year we are happy to lend the WIFW platform to 'YouCanFree.Us' in their drive against human trafficking," said FDCI President Sunil Sethi. 

For the drive by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals), Bollywood stars Gulshan Grover and Mahima Chaudhary will join Sethi to announce a partnership with FDCI, themed 'Fashion for Freedom – Boycott Zoos', with the help of two caged models wearing costumes to resemble big cats. The campaign will extend to FDCI's next fashion week in September.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/wifw-to-spread-human-trafficking-animal-rights-awareness/961271.html

No using beasts of burden to transport oil: State

 Banned: Bullock carts transporting oil. PETA says bullock cart owners
do not treat the animals well. file pic

Govt instructs oil companies to do away with bullock carts after PETA highlights ill-treatment of animals


In an attempt to prevent animal abuse, the state government has instructed petroleum giants Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum to not transport oil using animal power. To stop transportation of kerosene in the city in bullock carts, a copy of the instructions along with a copy of the 2006 notification by the state government that bans oil companies and ration shops from keeping and using cattle for transportation purposes has been circulated among ration shops and oil companies across the state by the Controller of Rationing, Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies. 

Five-year campaign
The move is an outcome of a five-year-long campaign by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA activists welcomed the order, saying that forcing bullocks to pull heavy oil carts on busy and hot streets is an act of extreme abuse.


"We are thrilled to see that the government has now taken steps to put an end to this archaic practice," said Dr Manilal Valliyate, director of veterinary affairs, PETA, India. An inspection carried out by the activists last year revealed bullocks used in transportation of oil endured tremendous suffering as most of them were underweight or ill, kept in filthy conditions and were forced to work beyond their physical capabilities.


As a result, most of the bullocks suffered from chronic inflammation caused by pressure from the yoke, maggot-infested wounds, infected sores, arthritis or intestinal problems. In a meeting held on May 4, 2011, involving the ministry, bullock owners' associations and PETA, it was decided that bullock owners would be given time till October 22, 2011, to discontinue the use of bullock carts and switch over to appropriate motorised transport for carrying oil.

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/feb/080212-pune-No-using-beasts-of-burden-to-transport-oil-State.htm

Cattle rescued from overloaded truck

CHENNAI: Animal welfare activists and police rescued 26 buffaloes and two bulls that were being transported for slaughter from Andhra Pradesh to Kerala on Tuesday evening.


Chinny Krishna, vice-chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, was en route to Chengelpet when he spotted a truck overloaded with cattle. "I tried stopping the vehicle at the Chengalpet toll gate but they got away," said Krishna.


He followed the truck as the driver took it off the highway into a wooded area and threw them out of the lorry. "There were 33 buffaloes, including two pregnant buffaloes, a lactating mother and a calf, as well as two bulls. They were in terrible shape as they were without food and water," said Krishna, who alerted the highway patrol and Blue Cross. The animals were rounded up by Blue Cross officials.


"We recovered 26 buffaloes and two bulls but the other animals ran away," said sub-inspector P Mani, who works with the highway patrol.


The animals were crammed into one truck in violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, and the Indian Penal Code. "As per the transport rules, a truck can carry six animals as a cow or bull needs two square metres of space," says Krishna. "But we find overloaded trucks carrying cattle nearly every day on NH45 and NH4."


Dawn Williams, general manager of Blue Cross, has filed a complaint with the Chengalpet taluk police station. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Cattle-rescued-from-overloaded-truck/articleshow/11802296.cms 

Finally, Ahmedabad residents may get relief from dog menace

Ahmedabad residents may have some respite from the problem of menacing dogs as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has finally swung into action.

The civic body has finalised the names of four agencies to carry out the job. After floating tenders last year and almost finalising on the name of one agency, the new municipal commissioner in August 2011, wanted more agencies to participate in the tender process. The tender floated in July 2011 was the third attempt of the civic body after it had finalised on every aspect; from land, to the vehicles to be used for the work. 

Four agencies, finalised for carrying out the work include, Animal Help Foundation (AHF), Animal Rights Fund (ARF), Animal Protection Club (APC) and People for Animals (PFA). Their names have been sent to standing committee for approval. The committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday to take a call.

Presently, the city has around 3, 15,000 dogs. Speaking to DNA, deputy municipal commissioner in-charge for cattle nuisance control department, Dilip Gor said, “Once AMC provides the necessary infrastructure and facilities, the work will start at the earliest, in a month’s time. We will be able to sterilise around 50,000 dogs of the city in a year.”

While the agencies have been entrusted the work of arranging for surgical equipments, vet doctors, nurses, helpers, cleaners, on the other hand, the work of removing the bio-medical waste after sterilisation will be of AMC. Also, AMC will be providing anti-rabies vaccination to the staff members of the agencies. On an average, 40 dogs will be sterilized on daily basis by each agency for which each agency will charge Rs445 per dog. However, considering the huge number of dog population in the city, it will take minimum two years or more to witness a remarkable difference. 

All agencies, except AHF will be provided land, because AHF was already allotted land earlier to carry out the work, which was later scrapped. AMC had signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) in 2010 for carrying out the task of dog sterilisation in the city. After this followed delays and slow paced work.

Anti-leather campaign ahead of Delhi fashion week

Delhi-PETA's US affiliate, along with Stella McCartney, are urging fashionistas to shed fur and leather in the lead up to New York, London, Paris, Milan, Delhi and Mumbai Fashion Weeks with a viral video expose of the skins trade, hosted by McCartney.

"As a designer, I like to work with fabrics that don't bleed; that's why I avoid all animal skins," says McCartney in the video. "Please join me in exploring the huge variety of fashionable shoes, belts, purses and wallets that aren't the product of a cow's violent death."

McCartney's video explains that cows killed for their skin in western countries can be castrated, branded and dehorned and have their tails cut, all without painkillers. In India, the animals' throats are cut, and many cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats are skinned and dismembered while they are still alive. And the toxic chemicals used to keep the animals' skin from rotting harm workers' health and can pollute nearby water supplies and soil, leading to increased rates of cancer among nearby residents.

As designers (and the celebrities they dress) learn about the cruelty inherent in the skins trade, a growing number of them -including Marc Bouwer, Anita Dongre, Hemant Trevedi, Sanjana Jon and Rina Shah- are shunning leather, fur and other animal skins and proving that you can create a look that kills without killing animals.

In 2007, PETA US teamed up with Marc Bouwer for the official launch of his vegan clothing line during New York Fashion Week. Bouwer, who has dressed stars such as Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey, became the first major designer to stage a show completely free of animal fibres at this prestigious event.

In 2010, the design team Hemant and Nandita showed off their "Real People Wear Fakes" collection - created in support of PETA India's campaigns - at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion in Delhi. Using animal-inspired digital prints, synthetic skins and other innovative materials, the designers illustrated how sophisticated animal-free fashions can be.

Also in 2010, leather-free designer Rina Shah sent a special pair of shoes from her new collection to Hollywood star Natalie Portman in celebration of the actor's birthday.

Shah is known for her exquisitely designed footwear - the shoes that she sent to Portman, a long-time vegan, are adorned with Swarovski crystals - and none of it contains a stitch of leather. In addition to Portman, the many celebrities who refuse to wear leather include Pamela Anderson, Raveena Tandon, Joaquin Phoenix, Alicia Silverstone and many others.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/shows/Anti-leather-campaign-ahead-of-Delhi-fashion-week/articleshow/11808312.cms

Indian celebrities favour macrobiotic diet plan

Macrobiotics is the new rage among Bollywood beauties and has hooked the likes of Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandes, Neha Dhupia and Esha Deol. 

Author of the book, The beauty diet and India's only macrobiotic nutritionist, chef and counsellor, Shonali Sabherwal says that her book is packed with secrets on how to benefit from a diet based on raw and natural foods. 

"It is a healthy way of eating that integrates physical, spiritual and planetary health. The macrobiotic diet is an organic, low fat and high fibre plan that and says no to processed foods. Whole grains, sprouted seeds and vegetables are the main foods," says Shonali, who received her training at the Kushi Institute in Massachusetts for six years. 

The diet is based on traditional Chinese medicine and is not just about eating right but also cooking right. "Food and cooking styles have also energy components, and their correct combinations could produce subtle energy changes in the body," she says. It's a diet ideally suited to the Indian lifestyle. "It's like a satvic diet," she says.

About the diet

Sugar, meat, dairy are not allowed on this diet and instead you eat only whole grains, beans, vegetables, nuts, seeds and healthy fats. Saying no to dairy is essential. 

"The biggest myth abound especially in north Indian households is that milk is sacred. But dairy is high in saturated fats, interferes with digestion and its excessive consumption can even lead to numerous health issues. Get your calcium instead from other sources like leafy greens, beans, grains and use fermented dairy instead of dairy," she says. 

Even sugar, honey, spices, meat, cheese, refined flours, caffeine are out of the list. There are a lot of fears tagged with the diet though. Some nutritionists feel that it is a no for children, pregnant women and people with medical ailments because it is restrictive, lacks energy and is deficient in important nutrients. But Shonali brushes off these concerns. "This can actually cure a myriad of diseases like cancer, thyroid to even sinuses," she declares.

The 5 rules of this diet

1. Go for fruit and veggies and eat only the seasonal produce.

2. Stay away from processed foods, artificial sweeteners, soft drinks, packaged meats, etc.

3. Steam, boil or saute food as these involve an upward energy style of cooking instead of pressure cooking, slow cooking, pickling, grilling and baking products which produce an inward energy.

4. Set aside a meal time, be regular and sit down to eat.

5. If you eat the same food, your body turns dull, so add variety to your food.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-celebrities-favour-macrobiotic-diet-plan/1/171378.html