From daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Sep 5: The International Vegetarian Union has announced that India would be host to the forthcoming 37th Vegetarian Congress and it will be held in Goa from 10th September 10 to 16, 2006 to deliberate over and experience the Vegan way of life. 

During the preparatory briefing of the Congress, Jashu C Shah, honorary general secretary of Vegetarian Society and resident, Asian Vegetarian Union, has said that this Vegetarian Congress is being held at a critical time when vegans are migrating globally as the distinctive boundaries are broken with present globalization. These newer challenges are sometimes forcing the change in the eating habits for their survival.  Hence, this Congress would deliberate over these challenges, exchange views to overcome them and also open up various facets of vegan living across the globe.

As India emerges as a global leader in various fields like business and IT, this Congress would provide a new dimension to people around the globe to understand India in a newer perspective, as a Country where vegetarianism is considered an important part of country's way of life.

Food being one of the staple ingredients of one’s life, this Vegetarian Congress would also open up the doors for international audience of how relevant the vegetarianism practiced in India in maintaining the health of an Individual and in turn the health of the healthy Society.

He said that this Congress would be organized with an objective of bringing in various Societies’ across the world who practise vegetarianism and also to create a group to inculcate the values of vegetarianism and also exchange the various practices adopted according to the local conditions available to them.

This Congress would not only deliberate in terms of what vegetarianism is, but also issues relating to ecology, genetic engineering, environment, spiritualism and alternative therapies.  It also provides hands-on experience in yoga and meditation among others.

He also said that the venue of Goa was chosen because of its beauty and calmness where it would give the participants facilities which are available in an urban environment but in a rural locale, as each participant would take 5 days away from their regular activities for the sake of this Congress. In turn it would facilitate them to understand vegan way of living and also provide them with deeper insights into the Indian way of living.

He also added that the speakers from across the Globe who are deliberating on these issues would focus on the practicality of being a vegan and also give insights of how one should practise vgeetarianism. 

For further information contact: Jashu C Shah / Venkatakrishna K. Tel: (022) 2285 5755/56 -  2285 3592/93