The World’s Largest Animal Rights Group’s New Vegetarian Ad Stars India’s Hottest Faces
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2000
Contact:
Jason Baker 98201 22602
New Delhi -- Pamela Anderson Lee has narrated the first-ever video exposé of animal cruelty in the international leather trade, documenting constant violations of India's animal protection laws, which are some of the toughest in the world. She unveiled the findings of PETA's investigation at a news conference in Milan, Italy, on February 15.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the largest animal rights group in the world, shot a new vegetarian ad today featuring models wearing sexy outfits made entirely of vegetables.
The ad, shot by India’s top fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar, launches PETA’s Indian Vegetarian Campaign. Two of India’s hottest models, John Abraham and Elle cover model Aditi Gowitrikar, posed in revealing outfits designed by Hement Treviti. These "vegetarian" fashions look good enough to eat—literally—they are made entirely out of fresh fruits and vegetables. The tag-line on the ad appropriately reads "Let Vegetarianism Grow On You".
PETA wants to encourage Indians, especially young Indians turning away from traditional vegetarian fare, to recognize the increasing popularity of vegetarianism in North America. From vegetarian 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 worldwide are making the switch to vegetarianism as they recognize the cruelty involved in meat production and the link between meat eating and burgeoning rates of heart disease, cancer and stroke. In the United States alone, more than 1 million people make the switch to a meat-free diet every year.
Many animals in India are raised on cruel factory farms. Animals reared in these "farms" are kept in dark, crowded buildings, crammed into cages and stalls so small that they can barely turn around. They never see the sun, breathe fresh air or feel the earth beneath their feet. Severe overcrowding and routine mutilation add to their misery. Old dairy cows and egg-laying hens are sent to slaughter when they are no longer profitable. On the rocky and crowded trip to slaughter, many cows suffer broken legs. At the slaughterhouse, they have chilies and tobacco rubbed into their eyes to force them to stand. Once inside, their throats are slit. Some have their legs hacked off or are skinned while still alive.
While factory farms started in the U.S. in the 1950s, many are now being slapped with harsh limitations because of their devastating effects on human health, the environment and animal welfare. However, India’s factory farming industry is growing dangerously.
John Abraham was personally disturbed to see the growth of factory farming in his hometown: "After seeing new chicken farms outside of Mumbai, it got me thinking. I love animals, so why would I eat them? Now I’m vegetarian and feel better than ever. I’ve especially valued the muscle-building and fitness advantages of a veg diet".
The world’s most nutrition-conscious doctors now advocate a vegetarian diet. Dr T. Colin Campbell of Cornell University in the USA reports that "the vast majority ... of all cancers, cardiovascular diseases and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented ... simply by adopting a plant-based diet". Dr Dean Ornish of the University of California has demonstrated that artery blockages can be reversed with a low-fat vegetarian diet. Meat, eggs and dairy products are loaded with fat and cholesterol, which lead to obesity, heart attacks, cancer, strokes and other diseases. Fish are often highly contaminated with mercury and other cancer-causing toxins. Vegetarian foods are low in fat and have absolutely no cholesterol. But they do have all the iron, calcium, protein and other nutrients you need to be healthy and strong. No wonder the Jat community, which produces many of India’s athletes and wrestlers, is vegetarian!
Aditi Gowitrikar adds: "Being a doctor as well as a model, I know that eating veg is the first and most important ingredient in keeping fit. If you eat chicken or other meat, you’re consuming toxins, fats and cholesterol. Veg food is powered with all the vitamins and protein you need to be at your best".
Vegetarianism is the diet of many popular celebrities. Sir Paul McCartney, Kim Basinger, Martina Navratilova, Amitabh Bachchan, Bryan Adams, Anil Kumble, Pamela Anderson Lee, Mahima,Woody Harrelson, Alicia Silverstone, Juhi Chawla, Natalie Portman and Jackie Shroff are just a few of the many vegetarian stars.
PETA, with its nearly 700,000 members worldwide, opened its first-ever Indian campaign office in January, with the goal of combining traditional Indian ideals, like vegetarianism, with Western star power and a youth-oriented campaigning style.
For more information, please visit our Web site at www.PETAIndia.com.
