International Vegetarian Union (IVU) | |
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Regional Report - Asia by Jashu Shah, IVU regional rep. Asia. We can report that the Asian Vegetarian Union came into existence during
the World Vegetarian Congress held at Bangkok. There was great enthusiasm
initially but slowly diminished on passing of the time. The Constitution was drafted, negotiated and finalized and ultimately
it was signed and the office bearers were chosen. I have been chosen as
the First President of the Asian Vegetarian Union, the Vice President
is Dr. Maitree from Thailand, Dr. Phichai is the General Secretary. The
Committee has suggested to appoint Dr. Sungho Park as Secretary and Mr.Kin
as the Treasurer. The activities will start after October when there is going to be a big
feast of Vegetarian food at Bangkok. The First Asian Vegetarian Congress
will he held in October 2001 and the preparations are ahead. Unfortunately, there is very little interaction between the Societies
except exchange of newsletters. The Indian Vegetarian Congress is publishing their magazine every three
months and sends a copy to me regularly. The Eastern Region of the Indian
Vegetarian Congress is publishing a newsletter by Dr. Bagra who is the
editor and is doing a good job but without much interaction only. We know
about the activities through the newsletter. Shri L. N. Modi from Delhi is also very active and carrying on the cause. There is lot of interaction with Mr. Modi and information is coming in regularly. Indian Vegetarian Society On 11th, 12th, l3th June l999,a seminar was held on Fitness, Food &
Health at Kaivalyadham, Lonavia. Lonavla is about 100 kms off from Bombay
amongst the Hills of Western Ghat. The seminar was held in the natural
surroundings. There were more than 75 delegates who participated in the
seminar. The seminar was a success as far as the faculty were concerned. In the month of August, we had a musical night for raising funds. The
singer was Sanjeevani and she sang melodious and spiritual songs. About
700 people attended the musical program. She is considered to be the next
Lata Mangeshkar of India. We collected about Rs.50,000/- as and by way
of over flow after paying ex-penses. In November, we had an award function for the best International vegetarian
of the year. It was awarded to Dr. Phichai of Bangkok. The best National
vegetarian of the year was awarded to Shri Ratanlal Bafna from Jalgaon
for his outstanding contribu-tion towards the cause of vegetarian-ism
in the rural areas of Maharashtra. The best Vegetarian Restaurant was
awarded to Samrat Restaurant. This year one more feather has been added. The Society has started publishing
a newsletter. The first newsletter has already been sent to members of
IVU, AVU, EVU and some of them have already sent us letters of appreciation. An essay competition was organized on the topic "Vegetarianism &
the Environment." There was a very good response. More than 140 entries
were received and the prizes were distributed at a special function. The
Vegetarian Society meets every 2nd Thursday of the month and holds lectures
delivered by eminent speakers where about 60 to 70 people meet. After
hearing the speakers a vegetarian dinner is served. Jashu Shah |