THE RECOVERING VEGETARIAN: ORIGIN STORY

 

THE EID EXPERIMENT

Date: 12^th May 2021

The Occasion – Ramzan Eid

The Menu – Masoor Biryani, Mushroom Biryani, Hara Bhara Kebab and Shahi tukda for dessert.

The Result- I, Ambarish Deshpande, celebrated a wholly vegetarian Eid. And loved it!

I didn’t accidentally fall into a vat of chemicals that drove me to this. Neither did I volunteer for some super-secret government program. I was not bitten by a radio active vegan and definitely didn’t suddenly develop any mutant powers in my 30's. 

If you are one of my friends or even remotely know me, you are seriously doubting either the fact that I had a fully veggie Eid lunch and loved it or you definitely believe I am going crazy. If you don’t know me, let me tell you a bit about myself- I belong to family which is traditionally purely vegetarian i.e. unlike for example most Bengalis – our family does not have any tradition of cooking/eating non-vegetarian food. The first ones to even eat eggs in my family would be my father’s / uncle’s generation. So am a second-generation meat eater. Not just a meat eater. I am a meat lover. 

I almost ended up marrying her. 

I Love Chicken Tandoori! Love Mutton Biryani! Love Shark Ambot Tik! LOOOOOOOVE Mutton Rassa!! I have travelled hundreds of kilometers to get a chance to eat wild boar. I have waited in line for hours to eat the perfect Konkani crab curry. I have always jokingly said that except human beings or beef (only because I wanted to retain some sign of being a Hindu), I could eat anything that moves. How am I of all people thinking of giving up meat?

So what was it? A visit to a slaughter house? Finally saw chickens being slaughtered and realized the cruelty? No, not quite. I have always believed that if I couldn’t handle to see animals being killed for my taste buds then I didn’t deserve to eat them. See the problem with many meat eaters is, if they actually see the slaughter, they may never even look at meat again. I did not want to become that kind of hypocrite. Whenever I have had the chance to visit a slaughter house or meat market, I actively made it a point to see them slaughter the animal. Without remorse or glee. It wasn’t just to make me feel comfortable, but I realized the moment I couldn’t handle the violence, I would quit it.  I do love animals in general. I love cats, dogs, birds and all wild animals. Their mere presence is not just a soothing experience for me but makes me realize am part of something bigger.

Was it a heart attack? NO! Thank God! NO! I have been detected with diabetes around 4  years ago. Came more of a shock to people around me than to myself. My maternal side carries this genetic heritage.  I was only surprised it came to me so early. But still other than containing the need to have Ice cream for dinner (Yes, I have done that several times in the past), I never thought of reducing/giving up meat consumption because of that. However, I did realize that maybe it could help reduce heart risk and keep my weight in control.

Was it a love for the planet then? Meat farming is not just cruel to animals being slaughtered but a waste of water and land. The same amount of water and land used for meat farming could be used to feed 10 times more people. Even though I am a ‘turn off the fan in every room when no one’s using it’ kinda guy, I am very practical when it comes to economics of food. I do realize that if in a sudden utopian scenario every one turns Veggie than thousands of people could lose their meat industry related jobs. Barren land used for poultry and cattle grazing will still be useless for farming. People living in the coast-lines or in extremely snowy climates have no sustainable natural access to food than meat sometimes. So I think of myself as part of that economy. I do believe that if I could manage it, I may be could reduce my meat consumption for the planet’s sake.

So, what’s my comic book Veggie rebirth origin story?….aha! Ladki ka chakkar?! Did my wife goad me into it? Because believe me women have more power than secret chemical formula or mind control devices to get men into doing things. Most girls have financial or personality requirements on matrimonial sites. One of my wife’s major requirements was – “Looking for a boy who loves non-vegetarian”.  Let me also clarify that my wife comes from a traditional vegetarian family and is a second-generation meat eater just like me. Often times when we used to go out, sometimes I would be the one to suggest exploring some kind of veg options while she would be stubborn on eating non-veg. Out of certain health compulsions and out of her deep love for animals, my wife decided to completely give up meat a few months ago. She’s been more successful at it than me.

If I had to pin down my ‘why’, I couldn’t pin it down to a single incident or a thought process. I have never been a committed health freak or a overtly emotional animal lover. However, I have always been an explorer. I have always known I just love food in general and I love exploring it. If am out with my Jain friends - I enjoy the best Jain food (yes, without Onion or Garlic), if am out with my Christian friends – I have enjoyed eating Pork sausages, if am out with my Muslim friends- I often know the best places to enjoy a Ramzan platter.

One can live without chicken but not without chaat

You can create buildings with a blue print but not behaviors. Neither can they change with just a spark. Everything just comes together for you to make that happen slowly. So, yes it was my increasing awareness of my health. I didn’t want to wait till my arteries clogged up to give up meat. I didn’t want my love for animals to be restricted just to cats, cows and dogs. If I could save the planet a bit by just changing what I eat- that’s the best thing ever. Also, its honestly much easier doing this if you have your wife as company.

But more-over, it’s the excitement of discovering new options, exploring new flavours that has me enjoying being a Recovering Vegetarian. If it wouldn’t have been for my exploring tendencies, I would never have ordered Masoor Biryani and enjoyed it. Being a Recovering Vegetarian allows me to explore things like Jackfruit Biryani or Soya Chaap and much much more. Also, I don’t think I can give up eggs or fish or the occasional piece of chicken just yet. However, I can try and reduce my meat consumption may be someday give it up. Being a vegetarian is perhaps easy, being a Recovering Vegetarian in India comes with its share of problems. We will explore them bit by bit. I know the journey isn’t going to be eggless cakewalk, but I am sure going to have fun along the way. Join me.