Going Vegetarian (Part 2) - Meaning of Compassion

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 Rameshon

Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Going Vegetarian - Compassion towards animals

They claim their move to vegetarianism in 20089 came from a realisation that most meat-based food items are processed and a growing awareness of "how the livestock industry operated".

"As we progressed, we discovered so many different plant-based food sources which we would not have if not for turning vegetarian. Also, our understanding of the ethical considerations extended to the dairy industry, which could very well be worse than the livestock industry, and we decided to stop consuming dairy products as well," reveals Mr Gangasudhan who turned vegan in January 2010.

As their search for vegetarian nutrition didn't throw up satisfactory results, they launched a free online magazine on the topic in August 2009. A year later, demand was so high that they started printing it. Today, 3000 copies of VegVibe are distributed free from over 80 locations across Singapore.

The best argument for vegetarianism, says Mr Gangasudhan, is the fact that there is no longer a need to argue for it. "Many people are already aware of the benefits at the casual level and make a conscious effort to reduce meat and increase plant-based food in their diet anyway," he says. 

For Singaporean yoga teacher Balakrishnan Matchap, it was a routine incident at work that inspired a turnaround in his dietary preference. While working at the Singapore Zoo as a zookeeper, he saw an injured racehorse being put to sleep with a captive bolt gun.

"With complete trust, it meekly followed its handler to its own demise. Watching this made me realise how we humans use and abuse animals for our own vanity, without a proper understanding of the pain these sentient beings go through every day for our sake," he says, in support of his decision. 

But was the changeover difficult? Not at all, says Mr Balakrishnan who during the initial stages read up on nutrition and carefully observed his body's response to the change in diet. He has been vegan for 16 years now and feels mock meat varieties available in many restaurants across the island help vegetarians and Non-vegetarians Bridge the "divide" and dine together. 

In Mr Balakrishnan's words, vegetarianism is not just about dietary preference. It is about compassion living and treading lightly on this planet, sharing resources by taking not more than needed. And the powerful thought that three times every day when you sit to eat, you’re making a positive impact both socially and environmentally.

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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.