New Delhi, Dec 15 (FN Agency) Veganuary is all set to celebrate its 10th year of the global campaign to try vegan for January and beyond to reinforce India’s love for plants and the planet. Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that encourages and supports people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people. Backed by number of celebrities, it is making use of humour, hummus and hope to inspire positive change for health and environment. Witnessing a huge fan following in its previous avatar (2022), the campaign is expected to draw a huge number of people to sign up to try their hands at being vegan for January as registrations have opened on Thursday.
Veganuary’s 10th global anniversary sees 10 popular Indian vegans supporting the campaign, including actors Amy Aela, Sadaa Syed, Soundarya Sharma, Arvind Krishna, Sneha Ullal; singer Anushka Manchanda; musician Monica Dogra; mountaineers Prakriti Varshney, Kuntal Joisher; and pro tennis player Vishwajeet Sangle. Prashanth Vishwanath, Head, Veganuary India said, “This is the time for hope, change, and action. Whatever your plans for 2023 are, trying vegan is a great place to start, for health, the planet and the animals. Veganuary understands the science of behaviour change and brings world-class support and resources for you to have a great vegan experience. You can do this while enjoying most of your favourite Indian recipes, engaging with celeb vegans and being part of a community that is trying vegan at the same time as you.” ‘Bigg Boss 16’ contestant Soundarya speaks about being vegan and how it is possible to thrive in any situation. She shared her encouragement with everyone trying to travel the path to veganism this January.
Arvind said, “I’m vegan for the environment, the animals, for my health and wellbeing. I’m elated to be joining Veganuary as an ambassador and I hope my active lifestyle inspires many to try vegan”. Reflecting on her decision to be an ambassador for the campaign, Monica said, “I turned vegan after watching a documentary about the way that eggs are produced, and also hearing information on the environmental impact of factory farmed dairy. I had already been vegetarian for years for similar reasons. I recognize it’s a process, but it is one that is easier than ever today, and one that should surely be considered by the privileged to help lower impact on the planet and promote compassionate and mindful lifestyle.” Prakriti, the first vegan woman to scale Mt Everest recorded a motivational video for Veganuary participants and observed “If you can live a happy, strong and healthy life without harming animals and nature, then, why wouldn’t you?” The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘hope’ and it has a desi twist with the engagement of more Indians. The campaign is set to provide free resources and 31-day coaching e-mails along with a new Indian starter kit with more Indian recipes, answers to FAQs on veganism, a meal plan to help make meals quicker and cheaper, an updated celebrity e-cookbook with recipes from global and Indian celebs including Dr Jane Goodall and Venus Williams and a new podcast series which will be launched on January 1.