The myth of a 'Vegetarian India' - An article by Vir Sanghvi
So while the myth of India as a largely vegetarian nation isn't something that's going to change overnight, the reality does seem to be that India has a larger percentage of non vegetarians who consume meat in moderation. This article by Whitsangri that I have linked in my description definitely made for a great read. Do check it out and let me know what you think. Thank you
Mtwadamela Ijogo
@Mtwadamela · 1:11
So almost by implication, it's like they don't eat meat. Do you know what I mean? So that's the way a lot of people over here would interpret that. Pretty much. That's what I think. The stereotypes come from other people projecting their ideas of what they think you are onto the world
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 3:38
But having said that, yes, I broadly agree that India is not vegetarian nation. Definitely not. But I also would like to question the timing of this article. What is the homeowner full objective behind this? Right? So I'll leave it as that. Thanks
Mtwadamela Ijogo
@Mtwadamela · 1:14
You know, it's funny. I was just thinking as I was listening to you taught wordsmith about another thing I another thing that I think gives people, especially in America I cannot speak for the rest of the world, but as far as how I grew up, I think because most Americans associate India with yoga, they associate yoga with being vegetarian, eating right, and those type of things
Binati Sheth
@Binati_Sheth · 4:55
Right? So one of the OG nutrition books from India is recommending eating meat. It was like I vaguely suspect that the anti meat types thing began within Hinduism in very specific areas where temperatures is storing meat per the temperature became an issue. So I think what the Brahmins came up with a solution in some of these areas, very, very hot areas of India, right, is they said eating meat is unholy, so don't eat it
Hey, Amtwa, thanks for joining in. And yes, I think you are on to something there when you say that it has something to do with the world associating yoga to its origins in India. I agree that to the world, India is the land of yoga, spiritualism Gandhi and a set of beliefs and practices closely associated with some form of vegetarianism them. So I think they have played a major role in creating this widely believed assumption that India is mostly vegetarian. So yeah, thank you
Hi Ramya as a vegetarian and a religious person myself, in my opinion, India is a vegetarian country is stereotype set by people residing outside of India. I mean, most of the people in India is vegetarian. This is concept projected by non Indians. And also, since India is a very vast country, people think that India has majorly vegetarian people based on separate areas. I mean, if people visit a certain area where the people are majorly vegetarian, they will think that India is a vegetarian country
And this differs very much from the concept of vegetarianism in the west because they are mostly driven by, what can I say animal and environmental welfare. But while in India, to be honest, it is more driven by tradition, authority and hierarchy of caste within the country. I'm not sure if what I said made a lot of sense, but yeah, this is my take on this. I would love to have a longer conversation with you around this point. So let me know
While Indian political parties right now might not directly be promoting India as a vegetarian nation, but I think in a way, there are regional parties that are instilling the idea that consumption of meat is divergent behavior and there kind of subtly political agenda behind it. Of course, this is, again, my personal opinion, but I just wanted to put it out there
Binati Sheth
@Binati_Sheth · 5:00
And so the rest of the stuff was so expensive, I bought it because I could afford it. But if I am relying on a plant based protein all the time, versus if I'm relying on any source of protein, which includes meat, it's cheaper to buy meat right then to buy vegetables. So I really love this point that you raise the classes and angle in food. It's so true, being a vegetarian and being a vegan, that's one more level. Right
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 0:49
Hi, Amtua. I think you are right there when you say that. You know, the perception is on account of yoga which advocates a healthy living and this is known to have originated from India or at least has been advocated by spiritual leaders from India. They've taken different forms of yoga to people across the world. So I think as part of this healthy living there are instances where some of these gurus might have advocated vegetarianism. And therefore the association with India being a vegetarian nation
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 3:31
Shamya. You are coming from the premise of personal experience and I will not debate that. But what I can say is, you know, it has been the other way around for me, right, though I'm a vegetarian by choice, right? Not by any cultural or traditional demands. And I find that when I interact with the extended family, those of whom are non vegetarians, majority of non vegetarians, there have been many times where I have been subject to ridicule because I'm a vegetarian
Shashank Sehgal
@SSS135 · 2:02
So I don't think that they consume meat. I have not done any kind of research. But I'm asking you, do people in rural areas who believe in God and believe in purism pure things, do they consume meat? Because if not, then the majority of India's population lives in villages. Then how can India is becoming then how can India is not a vegetarian country when the majority of which people are living in villages who believe that, who believe in pure things
Vrinda Goyal
@Itz_vrinda_dear · 0:21
Hey, girl. I think being an vegetarian in Indian society is called for myth, I guess, because we can't say it even a myth. Because somewhere in it is a belief to be vegetarian. I guess that's it
prisha k
@prisha198 · 0:06
And Sir Gladiator talked about this myth, as most of the people that I know think that India is all about vegetation