Most of the Manipuris consider themselves strict vegetarians more or less, albeit in their own peculiar ways. So diverse and rich is our vegetarian culture that if vegetarianism was a religion, we would have belonged to numerous sects. Our "vegetarian" diet is unique but blurs the line between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. If Meneka Gandhi ever takes a glance at the recipe of some of our self proclaimed vegetarians, she would be horribly shocked. This is because some of us-despite being "vegetarians"- would still be eating fish as an exception while avoiding other animal food; some among us would dine on chicken excluding fish and other organisms that can "feel, sense and breathe" and yet some health conscious freak among us would run away at the sight of fish but would gleefully relish the taste of pork! But swear they will, "I am a vegetarian".

To be fair, we survive mainly on the daily staple of vegetables, pulses and legumes. And it is only occasionally that we binge on meat. But is it justified to call ourselves "vegetarian" anyway? An overwhelming number of people say "YES". Seeing the irony in it, some backpedal and classify themselves as "semi-vegetarian". As you might already know, semi-vegetarians would include people-who-eat-pork-and-avoid-fish type and their like-palated gourmet friends described above.

It is another matter that vegetarian purists are miffed at the very phrase of "semi-vegetarian". They say the term is an oxymoron and is akin to describing a person as "semi-virgin" or "secular BJP". Vegans (as they are known) frown upon any food that remotely has a connection with any form of animal. They are the vegetarian extremists who don't even eat honey because it is produced from the labor of working bees. For similar ethical reasons, they also condemn use of leather and fur apparels.

But comparing with the dieting practice of other western countries, say, America, our cuisine seems benign and healthy despite our bewildering nature of vegetarian claims. From breakfast to the supper, a typical American food is meat intensive. Coupled with the sedentary lifestyle of the Americans, their food is the origin of most of their health woes like obesity, coronary complications, osteoporosis and even cancer. Besides problems related to health, what they eat at the dining table is raising issues of ecology, consumerism, ethics and humanitarian concern.

According to People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), every year in the United States, more than 9 billion animals are killed for food; millions more die of stress, suffocation, injuries, or disease in the food industry. In his or her lifetime, the average American meat-eater is responsible for the abuse and deaths of some 2,400 animals, including approximately 2,287 chickens, 92 turkeys, 31 pigs, and 12 steers and calves. PETA has been admonishing the meat industry to adopt more humane farming practices and also urging people to switch to vegetarianism.

Echoes of inhumane treatment of animals are also found in our own backyard. The unhygienic conditions of most of our piggeries are hard to brush aside. Most of the pig farmers in Manipur often resort to a crude technique of castrating the young male pigs without the use of any anesthesia-a "minor operation" they say will quicken their growth and hence maximize profits in less time. The slaughtering process is no redeeming act either. The hapless animal is killed with ghastly brutality. No thought is given to executing a painless and quick end. Sometimes, the animals are torn apart even while they are alive. But then, we are the people who will happily take home a Kilo of the damned meat whenever we see it at Kakhulong or at any one of the place where it is sold, unmindful of the cruelties that the animals suffered when they were alive. We may have unintentionally encouraged cruelty to animals to pander to our tongue palate.

Cruelty apart, animal activists also point out the underlying sense of injustice to the millions of poor people in the world who go hungry, starve and die due to lack of food while astronomical quantity of food grains are diverted towards raising animals for meat. Just consider these staggering facts to get the perspective: every day, 840 million people around the world, including 200 million children, go hungry. But much of the world's grain harvest-40 percent-is used to feed livestock, not people. U.S. livestock alone consume about one-third of the world's total grain harvest, as well as more than 70 percent of the grain grown in the United States.

PETA further argues "raising animals for food is much less efficient than growing vegetables, grain, or beans. For example, a cow grazing on one acre of land produces enough meat to sustain a person two and a half months; soybeans grown on that same acre would nourish a person for seven years. The beef in just one Big Mac represents enough wheat to make five loaves of bread".

Waste from animal farms is also a cause of ecological concern. According to a report, in 1996, U.S. factory farms produced 1.4 billion tons of animal waste-130 times more than humans did. The waste produced in a single year would fill 6.7 million train boxcars-enough to circle the Earth 12 1/2 times. All this 'bullshit' ends up mingling with rivers, streams and ocean threatening the aquatic life forms.

Well, we have not reached such scale and size of animal farming in Manipur and experienced the attendant problems that are already a reality in the western world. But I believe there is a case for going veggie for health reasons if not for ethical reasons which are sometimes dismissed as politically motivated.

There are number of benefits to be gained in terms of longevity, health and feel good factor when we stick to vegetables-only-food regime. This claim is not without scientific proof. Studies have shown that vegetarians have stronger immune systems than meat-eaters and that meat-eaters are far more likely to die of heart disease and 40 percent more likely to die of cancer. Vegetarians also live six years longer than non-vegetarians, nutritionists say. They also have lower blood pressure as plants contain no fat and cholesterol that is common in meat.

For those who have all along thought milk is a vegetarian item, here is an eye-opener. Milk not only comes under the animal products but it also contains fat and cholesterol-two notorious culprits blamed for heart disease- and pesticides and antibiotics that are fed to cows. Milk has been linked to heart disease, some types of cancer, diabetes, and even osteoporosis. Facts speak for themselves: Industrialized Western nations, which are the biggest consumers of milk, have the highest rates of osteoporosis, while regions of the world where dairy products are practically unheard of, such as China and Japan, are virtually osteoporosis-free.

If you turn to eggs to find solace, you will be disappointed. An egg daily for breakfast, according to PETA, can increase your cholesterol level by as much as 10 points. Women beware, eggs increase your chances of getting breast cancer.

Fish is no innocuous food either. Fish could be the carrier of toxins in concentration that is 9 million times more than the surrounding aquatic environment. Some species of sea fish like shrimps and scallops contains more cholesterol than beef. Fish raised in farms for commercial supply are fed antibiotics which if passed to the humans can impair their immune system.

Does it mean that we all should start eating vegetables and only the chlorophyll producers? Shall we advice our boxer Dinko Singh and weight lifter Kunjarani Devi to go veggie so as to preclude any chance of their suffering a sudden heart attack in the middle of the sporting arena and embarrass all Manipuris? Shall we stop feeding our babies milk? Shall we ban fishing at Loktak?

There are scopes for doubts and skepticisms over what the Vegans have been telling us. Some of the arguments put forward to discourage people from consuming animal food seem to be exaggerated. In their zeal to stop cruelties to animals, organizations like PETA may have deliberately ratcheted up the doomsday scenario of the non-vegetarians. Meat after all is a good source of important nutrients. For example, meat contains the vital nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin D and B12 which green vegetables seldom or do not provide. Vegetables also lack in protein that plays a key role in growth and healing process of the human tissues. So, if the vegetarian diet is not properly monitored, deficiency problems may arise leading to eating disorders, bulimia, brittle bonds, hair loss, etc.

But in essence, a vegetarian way of life is a healthier option than being a gluttonous pig slayer. A man's calorie and nutrients requirements are different from that of another man depending on their level of activity and body mass. Viewed from that that logic, I don't expect Dinko Singh to be a vegetarian because I guess he will need more muscle mass and bursts of energy that only meat can sufficiently give. But given a choice, for people like you and me who don't have to punch people around, a vegetarian life is worth striving for-if not for health reasons, but for the sake of our animal friends and humanitarian consideration. And of course, as the sole leader on top of the natural food chain system, we the human beings have an added responsibility to make judicious food choices.

Go veggie and be cool.