How cool would it be to have a pro-vegetarian postage stamp in India, which, by the way, is considered to be the birthplace of vegetarianism? PETA India has sent an application to the philately division of the Department of Posts urging the agency to issue a national stamp honouring the country's strong vegetarian heritage just in time for World Vegetarian Day (Oct 1), Gandhi Jayanti and Vegetarian Awareness Month (October).

India has the highest population of vegetarians of any country in the world. In a letter accompanying the application for the proposed postage stamp, we have reminded the government that adopting a vegetarian diet is the best way to protect one's health, animals and the environment.

The lady behind our vegan campaigns, Bhuvaneshwari Gupta, who also happens be a nutritionist, says, "This stamp would remind people every day that they can help stop animal abuse, slow the production of gases that cause climate change and keep themselves fit and trim by simply going vegetarian".

So, how many of you give this idea your stamp of approval? Let us know by commenting here!

Actor Om Puri has spoken up for the need to have stronger legislation to protect animals in India. He has teamed up with PETA and sent a letter to Jayanthi Natarajan, the new Union Minister for Environment and Forests, imploring her to do everything in her power to hasten enactment of the new Animal Welfare Act, 2011.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has drafted a new animal protection law to replace the outdated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The new draft Animal Welfare Act, 2011, would greatly increase the penalties for cruelty to animals – penalties that are currently so weak that they have virtually no deterrent effect.

"Considering that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, was enacted 50 years ago, it is time for India's animal welfare laws to get a much-needed 21st-century makeover", wrote Puri. "I hope the government will put politics aside and give our animals the basic protection that they deserve by passing the Animal Welfare Act, 2011."

You can help. Write to the ministry now and urge them to pass legislation to ensure better treatment of our animal friends.

Sonu Sood, Bollywood's sexy vegetarian, has teamed up with PETA again, this time for stopping the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the world for their fur. Sonu, who was recently in Canada for the  prestigious International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, took time out of his packed schedule to write a letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, Steven Harper, urging him to end the slaughter of baby seals there.

Every year, a band of fishers descends on the ice in order to beat thousands of seals to death and sell the animals' pelts on the international fur market. Sealers routinely hook baby seals in the eye, cheek or mouth and drag them across the ice, often while the animals are still conscious. Many of the seals killed in the massacre are only a few weeks old. Sonu wrote: "Canada has a lot to offer – natural beauty, exciting cities, and rich culture. However, there's one thing that's harming Canada's international reputation – its annual commercial seal slaughter".

Thanks, Sonu! Kind people everywhere as well as world leaders such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin have spoken out against the clubbing of baby seals, and Canadian seal products have been banned by the US and, more recently, by the EU.

Sonu is not the only Indian celeb speaking up against this cruelty. He is joined by other big names such as Mallika Sherawat, Ayesha Takia, Rahul Khanna, Mahesh Bhupathi, Hard Kaur and more who have expressed their support for this campaign via Twitter!

Support PETA and your fave stars by taking action online to help baby seals now!