Vol XXXVI No 1 Spring 2013

Journal of Beauty Without Cruelty - An International Educational Charitable Trust for Animal Rights

Inside: Shells Bones Masculinity Veggie pride Food marking

Bully Kutta fights in Beauty Without Cruelty - India 4 Prince of Wales Drive, Wanowrie, Pune 411 040 Editorial Tel: +91 20 2686 1166 Fax: +91 20 2686 1420 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bwcindia.org What a piece of work is man! In this Issue his issue features items about cock- Editorial……………………………………………………This page fighting, dog-fighting Shell-shock ………………………………………………………… 2 T and dog-racing, though … ……………………………………………………… 5 there are numerous other Fact, not fancy… ………………………………………………… 6 “sports” which involve Around the world… ……………………………………………… 8 animals around this world. FYI……………………………………………………………………… 9 These include camel- BWC news and views………………………………………… 10 wrestling and bullfighting. A compassionate world……………………………………… 12 It may be important to note Vegan recipe… …………………………… Inside back cover that such activities are connected to masculinity R.I.P. Mr. Noshir N. Bhesania concepts. who managed the Shooting birds with air- Beauty Without Cruelty guns may be a rite of accounts for 12 years, passed away suddenly on passage for 10-year-olds. 22 January 2013. Ten-year-old boys, that He was not only dedicated is. The novel, “To Kill a to his work but also to Mockingbird,” was set in the our cause, influencing his mid-1930s, in the fictitious daughter Anahita to become a vegetarian like him. small town of Maycomb, Anahita is a BWC member Alabama, during the and staunch supporter. Depression years of laws ensuring racial segregation and discrimination against Publisher Diana Ratnagar, Beauty Without Cruelty Chairperson, BWC - India African-Americans. Its title is a way of life which causes Editor Ashoke Dasgupta relates to the instruction no creature of land, sea or air Design Dinesh Dabholkar given by attorney Atticus terror, torture or death Printing at Mudra, Finch that, while his 383 Narayan Peth, Pune 411 030 children can shoot any Compassionate Friend is printed on paper © Compassionate Friend number of bluejays with free of animal substances is the copyright of their air rifles (this is and published every Beauty Without Cruelty - India. spring (February), the gun-toting South), summer (May), Unauthorised reproduction in any they must never shoot a monsoon (August) manner, without written permission mockingbird, since they and winter (November) from the publisher, is prohibited. “don’t do one thing but sing Cover: Bully Kutta. Photo courtesy: Action Wolves their hearts out for us.” Beauty Without Cruelty In November 2011, U.S. like removing antlers among males, so one must Staff Sergeant Calvin from a deer. We see here consider the concept of Gibbs, 26, of Billings, another illustration of the masculinity. If being a man Montana, was found guilty use of animals in “sport” is purely a matter of social of three counts of murder, developing a “masculine” construction (that is, we of conspiring to commit personality. create and make up gender murder and several In June 2012, French roles) than being a man in other charges, including police were hunting a group X simply involves assaulting a fellow-soldier Canadian porn actor meeting the standards of and taking fingers and a wanted for the murder being a man in group X. tooth from the dead. He and dismemberment of If that involves owning was sentenced to life in his lover. Luka Rocco guns, killing animals, prison but may be eligible Magnotta, 29, was thought and swilling beer while for parole in less than 10 to have flown from watching porn and sports, years. Montreal to Paris, said then one must do those to be a man. If it involves Soldiers repeatedly French police officials. sipping lattes, talking about described Gibbs as Media reports linked Proust and scrumptious devising “scenarios” in Mr. Magnotta to a video steaks, then one must do which his unit, in Iraq posted online in 2010 that that. So, to be a man, one or Afghanistan, would showed two kittens being must pick a group, sort fake combat situations by placed in a plastic bag and out its standards and then detonating grenades or suffocated, and another meet them as best one planting weapons near of a kitten being fed to a can. their victims. snake. These proved him, already, to be a man among In many ways, this is They said he even supplied comparable to being good: “drop weapons” and men who went on to enter the porn business and kill if being good is merely a grenades to make the social construct, then to victims appear armed. a woman. What could be more masculine? be good you must meet Some soldiers took pictures the moral standards of the Apparently animals are posing with the dead group in question. This is, here to make men out of and took body parts as of course, classic relativism us. Their suffering and trophies. Gibbs is accused (and an approach endorsed deaths are the height of of snipping fingers from by leading sophists). victims and later using impertinence, though Shakespeare wrote, But being a man is more them to intimidate another than just meeting the soldier. And the poor beetle, that we tread upon, socially-constructed He also pulled a tooth from In corporal sufferance gender standards of a group one man, saying in court finds a pang as great one wishes to belong to. As when a giant dies. that he had “disassociated” E-Mail: [email protected] the bodies from being – (3.1.85) Measure for Measure human, that taking the However, cruelty is fingers and tooth was synonymous with strength Spring 2013  Beauty Without Cruelty Shell-shock by Ashoke Dasgupta here are shells, shells, and shells, Tbut we focus here on the shocking cruelty to bearers of marine and freshwater shells, such as those of land snails and tortoises. Marine and freshwater shells are different from those of He sells sea-shells by the sea shore. Photo courtesy: shunya.net land snails and tortoises. attractive, covering or is easy to gather living We also consider others shell is very much a part marine creatures, kill like crabs. of its body. How, then, them and clean their shells A shell is the rigid, do beachcombers find for commercial gain. One outermost body-part of “empty” sea shells? First finds heaps of shells for a marine creature. Sea of all, few of these are sale at tourist spots along shells, freshwater shells, empty, being inhabited India’s long coastline, e.g. snail shells, mollusc by tiny lives. This was at Kanyakumari. shells, gastropod shells observed by BWC before Wouldn’t this revelation and turtle shells are a few a bagful of shells gathered be good enough a reason of the many species. on a beach were rinsed not to collect so-called or cleaned by boiling in Shells are developed “empty” sea shells as water to kill the creatures by living molluscs, mementoes of trips to inside. Other lives take crustaceans, turtles, beaches? tortoises, armadillos refuge in the “empty” and many other living shells (skeletons) after the Oysters organisms. They are original inhabitants die. The most common essential for survival It is common for marine sea shells are bivalves and serve in movement, creatures to use the shells (mussels, clams, scallops, feeding, protection and of the dead. For example, oysters and such edible defence. octopuses use clam shells shellfish) found in marine Not “empty” for shelter, and hermit as well as fresh waters. crabs use empty marine They die as soon as their A living marine creature’s gastropod shells for shells are pried open. protectively hard, protection. and often colourfully Oysters are usually It is not uncommon for consumed “fresh” or shells to be cruelly emptied eaten raw by opening – for profit – because it the shell with a shucking  Spring 2013 Beauty Without Cruelty of French gastronomy imported into India. The snails are said to be “hygienically grown,” being fed on a special diet of ground cereal, then cleaned, gutted and made ready for cooking in garlic butter with parsley and wine or cognac. The Central Inland Capture Fisheries Slaughtering an oyster. Photo courtesy: latimes.com Research Institute sees knife, adding a lime juice Escargot (pronounced es- nothing wrong in breeding or vinegar dressing, and ka-go) French for snails, Giant African Snails so scooping out the flesh. is one of the highlights that they can be converted Few like to kill and eat into “gastronomic raw oysters thus, so they delights.” are cooked: the heat opens Nagas consume river the shells and kills them. snails which are cooked Pearls, natural and man- with dal and sucked. made, are the result of They are purchased by long-term pain for pearl the kilogram from the oysters (living mollusc Dimapur Bazaar. shells). Searching for and Manipuri cuisine also removing the pearl inside includes river (freshwater) involves splitting the snails. Their faces are oysters open by inserting individually scooped out a knife between the two and discarded. This is valves and twisting it to followed by cutting off cut the adductor muscle the tapering ends on their holding the shell closed, third ridges so their meat thereby killing the can be sucked out easily. creature. They are then submerged in a potful of salted water. Snails After some time they are Shells are also found as rinsed, and considered protective layers on soft, clean enough for cooking. delicate freshwater creatures like mussels and snails Amputation of river snails to cook Manipuri tharoi thongba. Photo courtesy: – and even on land snails. openchallenge.tumblr.com Spring 2013  Beauty Without Cruelty Choona They are plunged alive Calcium hydroxide, into pots of boiling water. derived from shells, is Lobsters thrash around, called organic edible unable to escape death, calcium. Living shells whereas crabs shed their or marine animals are claws and legs as defence collected for its production mechanisms and are Choona smeared on paan leaves. Photo in large numbers from courtesy: Nitin Gaikwad consequently drowned for eight hours instead, after seashores and, in Turtle- and tortoise-shells which they are cooked. particular, from the are converted into a variety There is no such thing as backwaters of Kerala. The of products such as musical “killing them kindly.” flesh of the live creatures instruments, fire-bellows, in the shells is scooped medicines, shell gelatine Recent evidence published out and sold in local meat jelly called guilingao, in the Journal of markets, and the shells personal accessories, Experimental Biology sold to regional choona trinkets, decorative and states that scientists factories. household items and even from Queen’s University, The demand for shells oracle bones. Belfast, UK, have said that crabs and other is high because they are Crabs and Lobsters converted to edible lime, crustaceans feel pain, so Crustaceans are a class the main ingredient in the food and aquaculture of arthropods that have paan. Whitewashing of industry should start to an exoskeleton which walls is another common think about their welfare. aids movement and gives use. Ashoke Dasgupta protection to creatures is the editor of Turtle shells such as shrimps, crabs Compassionate Friend. Both turtles (which dwell and lobsters. in water) and tortoises (which live on land) are shielded by their shells: carapace is the top part of the shell, and plastron the underside, or belly shell. Trade in tortoise-shells (bekko in Japanese) is banned under CITES, yet turtles are farmed (bred and raised to be killed for their eggs, meat and shells) in several countries.

Turtle shell guitars. Photo courtesy: Ricky Ong‘s Gallery  Spring 2013 Beauty Without Cruelty Kutta’s daily diet consists Bully Kutta of 1 kilogram raw mutton, Dog fights in Punjab 250 grams of ghee mixed by Khurshid Bhathena with almonds and chicken, and two litres of milk. The nimal- and bird- dog is made to chase and fights are banned in kill a live chicken, and its AIndia, Afghanistan training includes being and Pakistan, but held made to swim in ice-cold clandestinely. Animals water. like are specially bred The dogs always suffer to fight. Illegal dog-fights and die. They are either involving betting were killed by their opponents increasing in and or by their angry owners Punjab and spreading to – losing dogs are clubbed by 2012. with hockey sticks, A year earlier, while poisoned with naphthalene, inquiring about greyhound electrocuted or drowned. racing in Punjab, Beauty Those who win suffer too Without Cruelty discovered with gouged eyes, ripped the existence of so-called ears, bitten-off tongues, pit bulls at Moga, Surewala ruptured windpipes, and and Kotkapura. even ghastlier injuries. Such “dangerous” dogs Suffering is an integral that fight each other to part of the fights – dogs the death are called Bully suffer both physically Kutta, and are similar and emotionally, whereas to the vicious pit bulls humans suffer due to the which were specially bred bets they place and lose. to fight but have been Fazilka District’s dogs of war enhance The Police need to crack banned in many parts their owners masculinity by their sufferings. Photos courtesy: Tehelka down on all such dog-fights of the world due to their at , Bathinda, presumably murderous Dogs are also brazenly Fazilka, Fatehabad and instincts and actions. The brought in by travellers other parts of Punjab, mastiffs are common in on Lahore-Amritsar buses before they reach an Pakistan (like the “Kohatie with the help of requisite uncontrollable phase. Gul Terr”), from where certificates. Kept as so- they are smuggled into called guard dogs in farm- Khurshid Bhathena India via some border houses, they are bred, sold, is a BWC trustee and its honorary secretary. districts of Haryana and trained and made to fight Punjab, particularly the each other. Fatehabad and Hisar Investigations by Tehelka districts of Haryana. have revealed that a Bully Spring 2013  Beauty Without Cruelty

Few realise that “organic” but so are animal manure, Fact, may be “eco-friendly” but blood, bones, worms, and these words are not always poultry- or fish-waste. Since not fancy synonymous with “plant- chemicals are not used, the “Organic” may mean derived.” Organic meat yield is not high, making “non-veg” is the ultimate semantic production costs rise. by Nirmal Nishchit betrayal. Earthworms have always been considered farmers’ ikkim has declared friends, and the most useful that it will become creatures of all, because entirely “organic” they turn wastelands by 2015. Out of its 58,168 into wonderlands. Vermi- cultivable hectares, over compost, produced by 8,000 have been certified worms that decompose organic. Anything derived from food and other wastes, is The word “organic” is animal or plant organisms used by many people in used to describe many is termed organic, and their gardens. products and processes. To since it is natural and Organic and animal-derived be certified organic, food not produced in a lab, is products need to come presumed safe, beneficial Leather, wool, silk, feathers, from farms and processing and good. The presence hair, blood, bones, animal plants that have been of animal ingredients is waste and fish oils are some certified organic already. never taken into account of the organic substances A growing number of when certifying products found abundantly in foods, people are going in for – organic. garments, household goods and end-products produced more expensive – organic Organic meat, poultry, produce because they feel it using processes involving eggs, and dairy products such animal substances. is healthier and safer. They come from animals raised also want to do their bit on organic feed, given A few examples: to help the environment. no antibiotics or growth Organic leather is from In fact there is a call to hormones, and are said to cows raised organically, oppose eco-terrorism by be treated with kindness their hides tanned with eating organic foods and culminating in “humane” eco-friendly substances, conserving water! slaughter. not with chemicals. All other foods contain Organic crops Organic flooring means residues of pesticides, Organic crops are grown natural wood (very likely fertilizers and other from a forest) and stone, harmful chemicals; and without the use of chemical pesticides, insecticides and is often termed “eco- their field use results in green.” the deaths of many insects, and fertilisers which kill rodents and reptiles. not only unwanted insects Organic mattresses are but also larger lives. Fallen made from wool or cotton. leaves that turn into Organic linen may be of fertiliser are used instead, organically-grown cotton,  Spring 2013 Beauty Without Cruelty and bamboo fabric could be mixed with silk. Do note! Organic paints are termed Caution also needs to be used Organic: can contain plant non-toxic and could contain with regard to items labelled and animal substances. with the following varieties of milk protein, lime/choona Organically pure/Certified verbiage: organic: can contain organic or fish oils. They are usually Animal-friendly: ambiguous plant and animal substances. pigmented with clays and wording. Pure/genuine: unadulterated minerals. Biodegradable: ambiguous ingredients which can be of wording. It would therefore be wise animal, mineral or plant origin. Care for nature: ambiguous Herbal: indicates the presence for animal activists to watch wording. out for animal ingredients of herbs, but not the absence of Cruelty-free: may not animal-origin ingredients. before purchasing anything consider killing cruel. (Beware Recycled/recyclable: (refers of “Cruelty-free” pledges.) marked “organic.” to packaging, not contents) may Eco-friendly and Marks and labels or may not have been recycled, environmentally-friendly: and may contain plant and users of slaughterhouse “by- The Agricultural and animal substances. products” present themselves Processed Food Products None of the above addresses Export Development as such for preventing waste — at a profit. the issue of testing on animals. Authority (APEDA), which Green: can contain plant and Against animal testing/ falls under the Ministry animal substances. Could have No animal testing: policy of Commerce & Industry been manufactured using a statements that do not indicate is the certifying authority process that saves energy and the product has not been tested for organic products under lessens carbon emission. on animals. the National Standards for Natural: indicates the item is Dermatologist tested/ not synthetic or lab-produced, Allergy tested/Clinically Organic Production. but may be of animal origin. proven: ambiguous wording. Organically farmed No animal fat: can contain Safe: likely to have been tested food products that are other animal substances. on animals. exported need to carry products need not be totally only indicate quality. the India Organic mark plant-derived. None of them concern since our assessment and Marks such as the themselves with animals or accreditation procedures animal ingredients, which Agmark and Ecomark, are recognised by may very well have been and certifications such importing countries. used. No different from as those issued by the These standards are silent the IMA’s (Indian Medical ISO, ISI (BIS), AIFOF, regarding the use of animal Association) unethical and GI have specialised, substances and only require endorsements of soaps and that the products or raw esoteric meanings dealing other products like those materials used be grown in semantics. However, manufactured by Dabur through organic farming, declarations such as and Pepsi, exposed by actor without the use of chemical Grade 1, percent of TFM, Aamir Khan on TV. fertilizers, pesticides FDA approved, Permitted or hormones. This re- Colours used, Preservative confirms that “organic” Free and Premium product Spring 2013  Beauty Without Cruelty Around the world First International Veggie Pride egetarians and vegans Vfrom around the world may spend May 16 to 20 at Geneva’s first International Veggie Pride, to be held with the aim of unifying vegetarians’ ethical ideas Photo courtesy: www.veggiepride.ch and having a good time. The EU adopted legislation They also plan a large Israel bans animal- tested cosmetics to ban animal testing for demonstration in the cosmetics in 1993, which was international city of Geneva, n Israeli law banning supposed to go into effect which hosts the headquarters Aanimal testing for in 1998, but was repeatedly of the United Nations cosmetics, personal care and delayed. In 2009, all animal (UN) and World Health household products became testing for cosmetics was Organization (WHO). effective at midnight on 31 banned in the EU and The program includes: December 2012. supported by campaigns • Conferences in a unique “Animal testing in the from organizations including setting Cosmetics Industry the Humane Society International, the British • The famous Veggie Pride inflicts horrific suffering on animals. Each product Union for the Abolition march on the streets of of Vivisection, and the requires between 2,000- Geneva European Coalition to End 3,000 tests, and animals die • Letters to the WHO and Animal Experiments. in agony,” said M K Eitan the UN Cabel, who called the move The 2009 ban was • Delicious vegan food a “true revolution in animal accompanied by a marketing • Concerts by talented welfare.” ban on products tested artists and a Veggie Party outside the EU. However, Animal testing for cosmetics the deadline was delayed • Meetings and discussions and other products was for three types of tests in an The event will take place banned in Israel in 2007, but effort to buy time to develop in a pleasant atmosphere, this new ban is focused on alternatives. As of the March encouraging people to products that are imported deadline, if it’s not delayed feel comfortable in the from other countries and again, no cosmetic products interesting meetings and will mean an end to the with ingredients that have discussions. marketing of products that been tested on animals will have been tested on animals, be sold in the EU, whether even if the testing was done or not there is an alternative outside the country. test available.  Spring 2013 Beauty Without Cruelty

BWC has made the following requests to the Government FYI of India over the decades: Making no • Every ingredient used, no matter in how small bones about it a quantity, should be ew realise that bones, declared in order of hooves and horns decreasing quantity on F from slaughterhouses labels, using its scientific name. wind up as ingredients in • The same law that requires consumer products. Bone china. Photo courtesy: Renee V. food producers to declare Bones are no longer used bone ash (burnt bones), their products vegetarian for decolourising cane whereas porcelain is or non-vegetarian sugar. Modern sugar- made of kaolin (clay). through the use of the making technology has Earthenware, stoneware green and red symbols/ lessened the use of bone and ceramics are free of logos should cover all char (calcinated animal animal substances except (herbal, Ayurvedic, and bones) but, if beet sugar when shellac-coated to so on) cosmetics and manufacturing is carried toilet preparations as shine. out in a continuous well. The scientific names process which bypasses Gelatine is another of the ingredients may the raw sugar stage, it derivative of animal bones be meaningless to the and other body-parts. It consumer, who is only involves the use of bone char. is almost synonymous concerned that it should with jelly, although jelly not be of a non-vegetarian Animal bones are burnt crystals made of vegetable nature. at high temperatures gums are available. In • A line declaring to obtain not only bone addition to being an “Batch-tested on animals” char, but also bone black, ingredient in many foods or “Not batch-tested ivory black and animal (E 441), gelatine capsules on animals” should be charcoal, used mainly for are widely used by the added on the package. filtering water (removing pharmaceutical industry. Since it is optional for fluoride), refining crude manufacturers to batch- Gelatine is also used by the oil in petroleum jelly test cosmetics, hair dyes cosmetic, photographic, (“Vaseline”) production, and other beauty and paper and glue industries, and as a black pigment (in toilet preparations on to lesser extents. Whether paint, printing ink, and so animals, the numerous edible or not, gelatine is on). consumers who consider always of animal origin. it unethical to use animals Fine china, bone china Alternatives are agar- for this purpose consider and ordinary china agar, carageenan, pectin, it their right to at least contain about 50 percent konjac and cellulose. be told if the product they intend to buy or use has been so tested by the manufacturer. Spring 2013  Beauty Without Cruelty Kozhi kettu BWC disreputable news & views ock-fighting or kozhi Ckettu is an illegal blood Greyhound racing hits sport held at temples in speed breaker Kerala’s Kasaragod District. Yet the Kerala Tourism s a result of our website flagrantly declares, Acontinuous personal “The significance and requests to numerous splendour of cock-fight is politicians, bureaucrats best reflected in almost all and others, who in turn put the folk songs of Malabar. pressure on the Chairman It is one of the major rural of the Animal Welfare attractions of Kasaragod Board of India, support district and has a legendary Cocks confiscated by police at was received in December origin. Earlier these cock- Kasaragod. Photo courtesy: The Hindu 2012. It took the form of a fights were an inseparable and unavoidable part of Indian cattle turned written assurance from the into meat and leather Director - Animal Husbandry, temple festivals, especially in the northern parts of Punjab, to the AWBI that in Bangladesh Kasaragod district. Though greyhound racing would it is legally forbidden, Beauty Without Cruelty not be conducted at district cock-fights are conducted discovered that camels were livestock championships. secretly in many parts of the also smuggled to Bangladesh It is good that the AWBI district.” for slaughter on Bakri Id, 2012. But cows topped the eventually realised the Women are not allowed to smugglers’ lists. BWC again serious consequences for watch the gory spectacle, wrote to the Ministry of animals and, perhaps, which takes place in a ring Home Affairs drawing their themselves if greyhound called the “cockpit.” A sharp attention to an informative blade or knife is attached to racing continued or was October 23, 2012 Indian one leg of each cock, with legalised. Enormous animal Express article, “Cattle go which it kicks the other cock. welfare needs would arise, easily across the border The blood is finally offered particularly at organisations fence, easier for smugglers to the Theyyam Gods, and working for dogs’ welfare. where there’s none” parts believed to protect the Now that Punjab has agreed of which are reproduced victor’s owner’s family; below: to halt greyhound racing however, gambling is very at the district livestock much a part of the ritual. “Well past midnight, the championships, BWC-India BWC wrote to the Kasaragod handheld thermal image and CAPE-India hope it will District Collector pointing camera fitted in the Border be stopped everywhere else out the illegality and cruelty Security Force (BSF) in that state as well. involved, and since he watchtower records a forwarded it to the Police sudden movement across chief, we expect positive the barbed-wire fence on action. the Bangladesh border 10 Spring 2013 Beauty Without Cruelty some 50 metres away. even after erecting a should think about A group of people from barbed-wire fence along the legalising the cattle trade the Bangladesh side, the boundary… Cooch Behar with Bangladesh because recording shows, first and Falakata sectors have it was not a problem that sends out a boy close to the together seized as many could be solved by policing. border to find out whether as 11,840 cattle-heads till The `2,000 crore industry the BSF on the Indian side October 2011 when the two in Bangladesh has made it is alert. The BSF jawans sectors were bifurcated. very difficult for the BSF, lie still. The boy waves Between October 2011 and and human lives are at his hand, and a group of September 2012 seized stake. Although intruders about 10 rushes towards 6,562 cattle in the Cooch from Bangladesh are shot the fence. Within seconds, Behar sector alone. dead, smugglers do not they set up an improvised hesitate to attack BSF men. “Going by the manner bamboo crane on their side BWC criminals on both sides again wrote to the and lower the other end Union Minister of Home have been innovating, across the fence into India. Affairs and to the Director- these figures could be just The camera pans right. General, Sashastra Seema a small fraction of the total Another group rushes Bal. BWC feels legalisation number of cattle smuggled towards the fence from the should not be an option. out to Bangladesh. The Indian side with about a Although cows top the list dozen heads of cattle, tied reason is that of the 361.75 for smugglers, there is no with ropes. One by one, the km international border doubt that cattle movements animals are hung to the that the BSF’s Cooch are closely linked to other improvised bamboo crane Behar and Falakata sectors illegal trades including and sent across to the together handle, only 197 narcotics, and arms and Bangladesh side; ferrying km is fenced.” ammunition used to fund each one takes only six or In December 2012 the terrorism. These can be seven seconds. outgoing BSF chief reduced to a great extent if “Cattle smuggling is one suggested that the the inter-state movements crime difficult to contain Government of India of cattle and camels are forbidden. Cattle are transported to Uttar Pradesh from , Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, from where they proceed to Bihar and on to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Roads of destiny. Photo courtesy: The Daily Star Spring 2013 11 Beauty Without Cruelty A compassionate world

he Theosophical TSociety hosts a week-long International Convention at its Chennai Headquarters every December. BWC´s Chennai centre has put up a poster exhibition to showcase animal rights and compassionate living to the delegates since the early nineties. Cruelty- free products like non- leather wallets are also sold to encourage mindful Stall set up and ready for the crowd. Photo courtesy: Geetha Jaikumar consumption. l-Ameen Public School, the programme. They said it The Chennai centre was set Edappally, Ernakulam, was informative. up with the active support A is a reputed CBSE school The event was covered by and encouragement with about 2,000 students. Malayala Manorama and of Ms. Radha Burnier, BWC held a photo exhibition Mathrubhumi, both the International President of at Al-Ameen on 30 October Malayalam leading dailies the Theosophical Society. 2012. It was inaugurated of the area, The Hindu, and She believes passionately by the school’s Principal, AIR’s Kochi Station. in the doctrine of ahinsa Ms. Saroja Sahadevan. P. Krishnan is and the sacredness of all Teachers and students BWC’s Kochi executive. life – big and small. expressed appreciation for Delegates attending the Convention from India and elsewhere have espoused the cause enthusiastically by becoming BWC members and carrying the animal rights message back to their respective homelands.

Geetha Jaikumar is BWC‘s Chennai Executive.

Our exhibition promotes the better world we dream of. Photo courtesy: P. Krishnan 12 Spring 2013 Vegan recipe Purslane recent analysis published in the Archives A of Internal Medicine cast doubt on the widely-touted notion that fish oil can prevent heart attacks in people at risk for cardiovascular disease. Flaxseed/alsi and purslane/kulfa ki bhaji are the best sources of Omega-3. Contrary to the

widely-held belief that fish oils are the only or best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, edible linseed oil obtained from flaxseed contains twice the amount of omega-3 acids. Rapeseed and soya bean oils are also rich sources of Omega-3 acids. However, purslane is the probably the best source and can be enjoyed as a tasty dal as may be prepared in various ways, one of which is explained below.

Kulfa dal (serves four) Ingredients Preparation 1 cup tur dal Wash dal. Pressure-cook along with 1 tomato chopped tomato, 1 sprig curry-patta, chilli and turmeric powders. 3 sprigs curry-patta Add 4 cups water and pressure cook again 1½ teaspoons chilli powder till mushy. ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder Mash smooth, mix in the kulfa and 3 cups plucked and washed kulfa leaves tamarind, and simmer. ¼ cup tamarind steeped in water Heat oil and fry cumin, broken red chillies, 1 tablespoon oil balance of the curry-patta and garlic, 2 teaspoons cumin and pour over dal mixture. Continue 2 dried red chillies simmering 10 minutes longer. 2 garlic pods, finely chopped (optional) Serve with rice.

Do visit www.bwcindia.org/Web/Recipes/VeganFood.html for an assortment of Beauty Without Cruelty’s tested and tasted, healthy and delicious vegan recipes. Courtesy: vegans-in.blogspot.de For Private Circulation. R.N. No. 35650/77.

India - Tel: +91Tel: 20 2686 1166 Fax: +91 20 2686 1420 Beauty Without Cruelty Cruelty Beauty Without 4 Prince of Wales Drive, Wanowrie, Pune 411 040 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bwcindia.org