Note:
If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)
By Sandhya Iyer
I took up vegetarianism at the age of 18 because of the motto practised by Mohandas K Gandhi, the peaceful freedom fighter who got freedom for India, in the past. He practised Ahimsa. It simply means non-violence through thought, speech and action. One way that I believe that I can be at least friendly to the environment was by becoming a vegetarian. Also, Ahimsa forms the highest mode of living in dharma (righteousness). Next comes speaking the truth and doing the right thing, coupled with thinking sincerely.
The day before yesterday, I saw the Tabla Paper, which has a coverage of Indian community reading this paper, published by SPH. I read this interesting article and thought that this will interest others. Hence, I decided to put this in my blog so that people can live in a healthy manner.
Why Vegetarianism by Sandhya Iyer
On one of the walls of the Ananda Bhavan restaurant in Syed Alwi Road are these words... the strength of an elephant, the stamina of a camel, the power of a horse, are all sustained on a vegetarian diet. Beside it is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi which highlights the similarity between the physiological features of humans and herbivores in stark comparison with those of carnivores.
While that may be the perfect form of advertising for a vegetarian restaurant, it does drive home a point to the rest of the non-vegetarians out there: That man can live on a vegetarian diet.
From the era of Gandhi, a firm vegetarian, to the present fast-food generation, the logic of vegetarianism has undergone many variations. As a religion-based concept or an act of compassion towards animals, the issue has always evoked never-ending debate between its propagators and those who can't do without mean and fish.
Today, with health awareness and environmental concerns demanding attention in our fast-paced lifestyles, vegetarianism has assumed a different connotation - as a healthier option and a step towards a sustainable future.
The Vegetarian Society of Singapore's president George Jacobs feels the current stress is on reducing meat intake (basically red meat) He feels that many non-vegetarians organisations participate in "veggie Thursdays" and more non-vegetarians are happy to have occasional vegetarian meat.
Veganism, or a plant-based diet, is another strand in the trend, one that revolts against dairy farming practices that are said to be cruel. Mr Jacobs says many people who are vegetarian for spiritual reasons may not be aware of the "health problems caused by dairy products, the environmental destruction caused by modern factory farming practices and the hell that cows and hens endure before being sent for slaughter after a greatly shortened life".
Green activist Bhavani Prakash has another point to make: That vegetarian doesn't automatically mean healthy. "We have to cut down our consumption of sugars, fats and dairy products. It's a myth that we need a lot of milk to absorb calcium. We can get calcium from where cows get theirs - directly from greens. So lots of fresh green veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds coupled with good exercise and stress management are the way to good health," she opines.
Despite all this "advice", are meat lovers giving up their steaks and turning to leafy greens and dale?
Singapore -based nutritionist Sheeba Majumdar, a vegetarian, believes that "going veg" can be a real test of resolve for non-vegetarians. "It is hard for someone to turn vegetarian as it has not been their traditional food and it is tricky to be able to balance your meals, especially when you are starting from scratch or from a typical western diet exposure, "she says.
However, that hasn't stopped some Indians in Singapore from converting to a vegetarian lifestyle.
Young Singaporeans "converts" Gangasudhan and Halimah Illavarasi are so passionate about vegetarianism now that they have also become self-styled agents of change. "They publish VegVibe, a magazine which blends the parallel philosophies of environmentalism, animal welfare, health and nutrition along with vegetarianism.
By Narayanan
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
Note:
By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’ by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
