Wily vegetarian?

MANY non-vegetarians, especially in the Western world are quick to identify veg- etarianism with some kind of spiritual or religious belief - as something traditionally oriental or even new age, like the practice of ues yoga! This is, of course, perfectly understand- able, given that a majority of the world's non- meat-eaters share a connection with Eastern o philosophy and thinking, particularly in countries like India where the predominant Hindu population has traditionally followed a vegetarian diet. However, there is an increasing number of More than just a personal belief vegetarians all over the world (including the But today, is more than just West), who choose to forego the consumption a personal belief. It is part of the corporate of meat for more practical reasons, grounded philosophy of the company I founded with inreality. my partner, who is also vegetarian. The QI In China, vegetarianism has been around Group that employs more than 1,000people in a lesser form since at least the 7th Century in nearly 30 different countries is a fully veg- and has been practised by devout Buddhists. etarian company. The primary consideration France started the world's first 'Veggie Pride' in 2001 in , an international event that cel- In recent years, it has seen a new resurgence here for us is respect for the environment and ebrates and promotes vegetarianism and in the cities as the emerging middle class in the belief that all life is sacred. tion, land degradation, loss of topsoil, climate while improving public health; declin- China pay attention to issues of health and Gandhi, the corporate icon of the QI change, the overuse of resources including ing livestock herds will take pressure off diet. In 2010,Prime Minister Wen Jiabao pro- Group propagated the concept of , a oil and water and loss of biodiversity." rangelands and lands, allowing the posed a nationwide campaign of 'one day of Sanskrit term which means non-violence. Part of our efforts in the different areas of agricultural resource base to rejuvenate. As vegetarian every week,' mainly as part of a This translated into the practice of vegetari- business we are involved in are to ensure min- populations grow, lowering meat consump- broader environmental platform. anism which he lived by, and propagated imal damage to the environment and maxim- tion worldwide will allow more efficient : vehemently. All our corporate events such as ising natural resources wherever possible. use of declining per capita land and water 'Veggie Pride' luncheons, press conferences or even conven- We recently acquired a IS-storey building in resources, while at the same time making In Belgium, the city of Ghent was the first tions attended by thousands from around the the heart of Petaling Jaya city in Malaysia to grain more affordable to the world's chroni- in the world in 2009to go vegetarian at least world, cater a strictly vegetarian menu. house the QI Group's operational headquar- cally hungry." once a week as a means to recognise the It is a philosophy that we actively propagate ters, which has been renovated using only impact of livestock on the environ- internally to our employees, though green and environmental friendly material. Spiritual consideration ment. France started the world's FlQuote by no means is anyone forced to We will soon be setting up a cafeteria there The last consideration perhaps is spiritu- first 'Veggie Pride' in 2001in Paris, ...... convert to vegetarianism. However, that will provide an all-vegetarian menu. We al. Hindu scriptures speak clearly and force- an international event that cel- the company has embraced this have also developed an eco-friendly boutique fully on vegetarianism. The ancient Yajur ~, resort in Koh Samui, Thailand that is run on ebrates and promotes vegetarian- concept since its inception and has Veda summarily dictates: "Do not injure ism and veganism. Other cities Ultimately, the continued to take a firm stance on green principles and has the island's only all- the beings living on the earth, in the air and in the world have since emulated message is it. vegetarian restaurant, which is fast becom- in the water." The beautiful Tirukural from and the first Italian 'Veggie Pride' simple - Being ing a popular tourist stop. Tamil literature, a widely-read 2,000-year- was held in Rome in 2008 and in Going green Another flagship development is underway old masterpiece of ethics, speaks of con- Birmingham, Lyon, and vegetarian is A key issue we have been focus- in peninsular Malaysia for an eco-tourism science: "When a man realises that meat is simultaneously in 2009. not simply the ing on in recent times is ways and luxury resort and marina on the banks of the butchered flesh of another creature, he As you can see, vegetarianism healthier or more means of going green. An impor- the Rornpin River that flows from the 200 must abstain from eating it." is no longer an Eastern fad but an tant aspect of this is based on the million year old Rompin Forest Reserve. In , the practice of vegetarianism international movement that fmds ethical choice. It concept of environmental vege- The main product portfolio of our direct is seen as an instrument for the practice of resonance in different cultures and is the only one for tarianism, which is the practice of seiling company focuses on weliness prod- and peaceful, cooperative coex- geographies. those of us who vegetarianism based on the indica- ucts and services that enhance health and istence. In Christianity, the Bible says, thou I have been vegetarian all my abhor violence tions that animal production, par- nutrition. shall not kill. According to Buddhist teach- life - although, during my child- ticularly by intensive agriculture ings, the eater of meat and the animal eaten hood, it was something I accepted and have respect is environmentally unsustainable. Better health and nutrition are locked together in a vicious cycle of without question as part of a fam- for all life The rimar environmental con- At a secondary level veg ills s mutual.resentment.Ieadine to.rehirth.and, lUe - although, durmg my chtld- ncuiarty by mtensive agriculture mgs, the eater ot meat and the ammai eaten hood, it was something I accepted and have respect is environmentally unsustainable. Better health and nutrition are locked together in a vicious cycle of without question as part of a fam- for all life The primary environmental con- At a secondary level, vegetarianism is mutual resentment, leading to rebirth and ily tradition, without really under- " cerns with animal products are also based on issues of better health and suffering. Ultimately, the message is simple standing the concept in its entirety. . pollution and the use of resources nutrition. The Worldwatch Institute, a - Being vegetarian is not simply the health- As a young boy,I remember asking such as fossil fuels, water and land. globally focused environmental research ier or more ethical choice. It is the only one my mother why we didn't eat meat. A 2006 United Nations report organisation that was named as one of the for those of us who abhor violence and have And she explained to me that animals are liv- titled 'Livestock's Long Shadow' concludes: top ten sustainable development research respect for all life. ing beings just like us and just like I feel pain "The livestock industry is one of the largest organisations, studied the global meat when I cut my finger or get hurt, the animal contributors to environmental degradation industry in 2005. feels pain when it is cut and killed for its worldwide and modern practices of raising In its report it states: "Massive reduc- (The writer is a leading Asian businessman, best- flesh. That instilled in me a deep abhorrence animals for food contributes on a massive .tions in meat consumption in industrial selling author and speaker. He is also a major towards violence. scale to deforestation, air and water pollu- nations will ease the health care burden . investor in the Colombo Stock Exchange.) .