The World Of Tzu Chi December 2019 (Vol.117)

11 TZU CHI 117 such as eggplants and guavas, as seeds give form to life. Modern Jains have since adopted a more relaxed approach to vegetarianism that includes the consumption of root vegetables. Raj Kumar acknowledged that the vegan diet is flourishing as a trendy lifestyle choice for contemporary society, but insisted that his transition to veganism is motivated by ethical reasons rather than novelty, notably the cruel treatment of animals in the dairy industry. His business dealings with proprietors of the livestock sector has exposed him to insider revelations of newborn calves raised in livestock farms being separated from their mothers within a day of their birth, with male calves being sent to the slaughterhouse to be processed into veal, while cattle are injected with hormones to maximize the production of milk for commercial purposes. Despite the promise of lucrative returns from investing in cattle farming, the experienced businessman prioritized principle over profit and declined the offers. Furthermore, Raj Kumar introduced us to vegetarianism as a significant aspect of religious practice through Navaratri, a festival observed by Hindus to honour the goddess Durga, who triumphed over the buffalo demon in a legendary battle. Devotees visit temples to offer prayers and adhere to a vegetarian diet. Navaratri is celebrated over nine nights, culminating in Dussehra on the tenth day, President of the Malaysian Vegetarian Society, Raj Kumar Sheth, is born into a family of Jain faith, whose devotees practise lifelong vegetarianism. He turned vegan a year ago for reasons of compassion and is dedicated to promoting plant-based diets – even taking his advocacy of vegetarianism to the highways. Food stalls selling Indian vegetarian fare are a distinctive feature of the Navaratri festivities at the Shree Lakshmi Narayan temple in Kampung Kasipillay, Sentul.