PETA to Combine Traditional Indian Values With Western Pop Style
For Immediate Release:
January 20, 2000
Contact:
Jason Baker 98201 22602
Mumbai, India -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)--the largest animal rights group in the world, which counts Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson Lee, and Woody Harrelson among its nearly 700,000 members--will open its first-ever Asian campaigns office in Mumbai, India, this week, with the goal of combining traditional Indian ideals like vegetarianism with Western star power and a youth-oriented campaigning style.
The United States-based PETA, which also has offices in Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, calls India its "ideological home." PETA's president, Ingrid Newkirk, was raised in India and says the respect for animals she learned from Rabindranath Tagore's disciples--who lectured at her school in Kodaikanal--and her experiences rescuing injured bullocks and dogs from the streets of Delhi and Simla led to her founding PETA 20 years ago.
PETA wants to encourage Indians, especially young Indians turning away from traditional vegetarian fare, to recognize the increasing popularity of vegetarianism in Europe and North America--from purely vegan (no meat, no dairy) Boca Burgers served in the White House to vegetable curry that has replaced roast beef as the most popular food in Britain. Millions of people are making the switch to vegetarianism as they recognize the cruelty involved in meat production and the link between meat consumption and burgeoning rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
With its motto, "Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment," PETA hopes to influence Indians to shun meat, milk, and other animal products, avoid products tested on animals, and to wear nonleather shoes and clothing.
PETA has created a new Web site, www.PETAIndia.com, that provides information on the cruelty of the international leather industry, advice on helping animals in everyday life, a list of famous vegetarians, and delicious, vegan Indian recipes.
