"Love is indeed a most powerful force"

Love is indeed a most powerful force. It can take us to great heights and leave us light and airy. True love is based on understanding, mutual trust and respect not simply on emotions. Love is selflessness.

We must allow our love to flow out and around us. By allowing our love to flow, we become moistened and remain forever fresh, attractive and healthy. Without love, all of lifes treasures are locked away from our vision and experiences, for indeed Love is the Key.

Every situation in life must be faced, and so why not face it with love? Happiness is lost when any thought of envy or hatred creeps in. Thoughts of love and good wishes cure sorrow.

In a bitter world, one drop of true love is an ocean in the desert. Love is a great power, but it takes power to have pure love.

Black-Bean Veggie Burgers ( Thanks to PETA)

Black-Bean Veggie Burgers

Spice up your grill with healthy black-bean veggie burgers.

2 Tbsp. olive oil , 1/2 cup diced red onion, 1/2 cup diced bell pepper

1 clove garlic minced, 1 jalapeño minced, 2 cups black beans

1/2 cup corn, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/2 tsp. cumin

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup flour

(1) In a saucepan over medium heat, in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, sauté the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeño for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
(2) In a mixing bowl, mash the black beans, then add the sautéed vegetables, corn, and bread crumbs and mix well. Season with cumin, cilantro, and salt and mix again.
(3) Shape into 6 patties, then coat each in flour.
(4) Place a pan over medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Cook each patty for about 5 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.
Makes 6 small patties

My "Dandi Visit"

Yesterday, I visited to “Dandi” place, where Gandhi ji came for “Salt Law” on 6th April 1930. “Dandi” is situated near costal area of Arabian sea (Distt. Navsaari 45 k.m. from Surat City- Gujrat State). It was my first visit with my friend Kalpesh Patel.

Gandhi ji started his “Dandi peach march” on 12th March 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram with 78 persons. He completed 291 miles distance and came here on 5th April 1930 evening. He stayed in “Saifee Villa” for one night and he broke the “Salt Law” on 6th April 1930.

After that , he stayed 20 days in Karadi Village (14th April to 4th May). The hut is there, where Gandhi ji stayed below mange tree. On 5th May, Gandhi ji was arrested by British police.

I visited all holy places. It was another very emotional experience for me.

Non-Violence

Mere not-killing (the animals) is not enough (for this observance). The active art of Non-violence is Love.

The law of Love requires equal consideration for all life from the tiniest insect to the highest man. One who follows this law must not be angry even with the perpetrator of the greatest imaginable wrong, but must love him, wish him well and serve him.

Although he must thus love the wrong door, he must never submit to his wrong or his injustice, but must oppose it with all his might, and must patiently and without resentment suffer all the hardships to which the wrong doer may subject him in punishment for his opposition.

M. K. Gandhi

Veg Recipe from PETA (Thanks to PETA)

Savory Indian Samosas

Charm the taste buds of your friends and family members with this popular and delicious Indian snack—they'll definitely be back for seconds.

2 medium onions, minced
1 Tbsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 lb. thin-skinned potatoes, cubed
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen peas, thawed and drained
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Salt to taste
9 full sheets of phyllo (filo) pastry, thawed and kept covered
Oil for brushing tops

In a large, lightly oiled frying pan, sauté the onions until they are limp. Add the coriander, cumin and cayenne and sauté for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add the potatoes, peas and cilantro. Mix well and add salt to taste. Allow to cool.

Stack four sheets of phyllo together and cut into four rectangles with a pair of kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. Repeat with the remaining phyllo. You should have 36 rectangles. Keep the phyllo well covered with plastic wrap while you work.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

For each roll, place about 3 Tbsp. of filling in one corner of a rectangle of phyllo. Roll the filled corner toward the center, fold in the left and right corners, like an envelope, then roll up again. Cover the filled rolls with plastic wrap while you assemble the remaining rolls.

Place rolls, seam-side down, on lightly oiled cookie sheets. Brush the tops with oil and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Makes 36 samosas

Some major organizatons who promote a Veg*sm and Kindness in India.

PETA India
P.O. Box No 2 GPO , Pune 411 001 India Tel.: [+91] 020 -2605 8102
Universal No : 1860-233-4222Fax: [+91] 020-2605 8106
Web Site: http://www.petaindia.com/
Email: info@petaindia.org

People For Animals
14, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi -110001
Tel: 011-23357088
Fax: 011-23354321
Web Site: http://www.peopleforanimalsindia.org/

SHARAN
(Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to Animals and Nature)
R.O.22, Matru Chhaya, 70,
Marine Drive, Mumbai – 400020
Tel: 022- 22814949
Website: http://www.sharan-india.org/
Email: nandita@sharan-india.org

Indian Vegan Society
P.O.Box-17, Byndoor – 576214
Udupi Dist., Karnataka
Mobile: 0091-9341128767
Email: indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com

Animal Rights Fund
Comfort Manor, 1st Floor,
No. 10/4-2, Kumara Krupa Road,
Bangalore – 560001
Tel: - 080-23449851.
Cell: - +91-98451 74630
Email: arfindia@gmail.com

Vegan Education Center
103, Shalimar Corporate Center
8, South Tukoganj,
Indore – 452001
Tel: 0731-2513824
Website: http://www.indianvegan.com/
Email : manish@indianvegan.com

International Vegan Trust
(Transforming people to veg*sm)
No.-35, 12th Main , Srinagar,
Bangalore- 560050
Email: goodheartvejji70@yahoo.co.in

Sadhana Forest
Aurovile – 605101
Tamilnadu, India
Tel: 0413- 2902655
Website: http://auroville.org/society/housing_s.htm
Email: sadhanaforest@auroville.org.in

Jain Doctor Forum
(Promoting Veg*sm for Better Health)
Janakpuri, Near Pani ki Tanki,
Ramghat Road,
Aligarh – U.P.
Ph: 09412877650 (Dr. Sneh Jain)
Email : snehlata_jainus@yahoo.com


Vana Chetana
Post Heddur – 577415
Tirthahalli Taluk, Shimoga Dist.
Karnataka
Email: shannade@rediffmail.com

Prominent members of IVU from India

INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN UNION (IVU)
Promoting Vegetarianism Worldwide since 1908
Regd. Office: Parkdale, Dunham Road, Cheshire , WA14 4QG, UK
India & South/West Asia Regional Coordinator :
P.O. Box-17, Byndoor-576214, Udupi Dist., Karnataka, India
Website: www.ivu.org Email: vn.shankar@yahoo.co.in

Prominent members of IVU from India

The Vegetarian Society (Reverence for Life)
114A, Mittal Court, Nariman Point, Mumbai -400021
Website: vegsocmumbai.com
Email: vegsocmumbai@hotmail.com

Indian Vegetarian Congress
No. 12, (17), 2nd Floor
Damodaran Street, Gopalapuram, Chennai -600086

Indian Vegan Society
P.O.Box-17, Byndoor-576214, Udupi Dist., Karnataka
Email: indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com

Asian Vegetarian Union
114A, Mittal Court, Nariman Point, Mumbai- 400021

Vegetarian Society of Delhi
Ahimsa Bhawan, F-125, Lado Sarai, New Delhi-110030

PRAYER - Lord of Humility!

Dwelling in the little pariah hut
Help us to search for Thee throughout
That fair land watered by Ganges,
Brahrmaputra and Jamuna.
Give us receptiveness.
Give us open heartedness.
Give us Thy humility.
Give us the ability and willingness.
To identify ourselves
with the masses of India.
O God !
Who does help only when man
Feels utterly humble. Grant that we
may not be isolated from the people.
We would serve as servants and friends.
Let us be embodiments of self sacrifices,
Embodiments of godliness,
Humility personified, that we may know
the land better and love it more.

- Mahatma Gandhi

THOUGHTS FOR A MERCIFUL DAY: “SATURDAY”

[1] If someone defames you or insults you, shower him with flowers, smiles and good wishes.

[2] If I keep the weaknesses of others in my mind, they soon become a part of me.

[3] If clouds remain in the mind, water will fall from the eyes.

[4] Even if you are sick and become a patient, you must never lose patience.

[5] To tolerate someone else’s mistake is one thing. To forgive them is even greater.

[6] If someone keeps laughing at you, don’t fret. At least you are giving happiness.

AHINSA, VEGETARIANISM & VEGANISM

The underlying principle of vegetarianism is ‘non-violence (ahinsa)’ or live and let live. ‘Non-violence cannot be practiced while eating animals or cruelly exploited animal products. Therefore, the practice of non-violence has to begin with our diet. Veganism, the natural extension of vegetarianism, is an integral component of a cruelty-free lifestyle. While vegetarianism is avoiding animals diet, veganism is about avoiding animals in the complete lifestyle, including diet.

Pressure on an expanding population to pursue material gain at the expense of morality and respect for life has brought mass exploitation and destruction of other for beings for food and other benefits. To arrest this trend and make the world we live in gentler, we promote a cruelty-free lifestyle called veganism and vegetarianism as an important step towards veganism. True vegetarianism or veganism provides the foundation for an ethical lifestyle whereby all beings can live in peace and harmony.

Vegans believe that animals have their own lives to live and are not our property to eat, use, experiment, entertain, etc. Animals are not dead ‘things’ but are living beings having the same pain and pleasure we experience. When humans use (abuse) animals, it is unlikely that they care for the needs of the animals. Living vegan who is morally correct and provides numerous benefits to our own health, animals’ lives and the environment. A person who is kind and compassionate to animals is most likely to be so human too.

What you can do ?

Support the “Indian Vegan Society” and the “International Vegetarian Union”. Big or small, your contribution is important, to make the world kinder. Try to avoid all animal products in your diet. While shopping, don’t buy animal product as far as possible; be confident and ask for cruelty-free products only. Don’t patronize zoos, circuses, animal races, shows etc. and don’t use animals for rides, transport or experimentation. When you use animal products, please remember that they come from silently suffering animals that cannot defend themselves against the collective might of humans.

Be proud that you don't eat or exploit animals for your pleasure. Tell others to be kind to animals and ask them to be vegetarians and vegans. Help animals live the life nature intended them to live.

INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN UNION (IVU)
A Regd. Charity Estd. in 1908 in the U.K. to promote vegetarianism worldwide.
Region : India , South & West Asia
Email: vn.shankar@yahoo.co.in Web: http://ivu.org

INDIAN VEGAN SOCIETY (IVS)
A non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization promoting cruelty-free lifestyle.
Email: indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com