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AHIMSA TIMES - SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
Page 5 of 22
last four centuries. Leaders of the church in Palatana and Shankheshwar in Gujarat, where Jain believers go for pilgrimmage, have also recognised her by sending her congratulatory letters, She had hit the 100-day mark almost a fortnight back and is continuing with the fasting until Sunday, September 21, this year, making it 125 days without food. Interestingly, Shantaben, whose husband and four children say is a staunch follower of the Jain religion, has been discharging her duties normally. And this is not the first time she has fasted for that long. She has previously done 30 days on two instances, 33 days on one occasion, 45 days on another two occasions and 70 days last year. Husband Kapurchand Devshi said his wife has been performing household chores as usual. Shantaben wakes up at 4 am every day and prays for one hour, after which she makes her way to the temple, located along Limuru Road. She returns to the house at 7 am and prays for another whole hour before starting the household chores. Control Shantaben says her ability to fast for 100 days has been enabled by her connection to Mahavira, the God worshipped by Jain community. "If one gives up eating, it results in control over the senses and the mind, good thoughts begin to enter the mind and the person experiences a state of happiness. Giving up food gives you control over the senses," said Shantaben. [Courtesy: Dr. Sulekh Jain]
VEGETARIAN EVEN THE COMPASSIONATE CONSUMERS ACCEPT ANIMALS-BASED PRODUCTS Your choice as a consumer affects the lives (and death) of millions of animals. By consciously avoiding the use of animal-based products you not only save animal lives, you set an example to others and eventually force manufactures to use alternatives. When you buy animal-based products, you are consciously supporting and promoting the exploitation of animals. There are many products in the market that are ostensibly vegetarian but in fact contain animal based ingredients. It is therefore necessary to both recognize them yourself as well as alert others to them. You should also examine the packaging e.g. jewellery may not contain animal parts but if it comes in a silk-lined leather box, be sure to state your objection, refuse the packaging and deduct the cost of it from your purchase. It is very disheartening that unkowingly Many companies are fooling vegetarians by adding Non-veg. ingredients to Day to Day consumable products.
How to raise consciousness about animal-based products- The most common category with animal products is food Products. Write to leading manufactures asking if their Products contain animal parts and also that this information should be clearly mentioned on the label. Get as many signatures as you can to these letters. In a country where a large percentage of the population is vegetarian by the religion, and conviction, it is vital to have this information available so that people do not violate their faith unknowingly. Under the law, manufactures are obliged to respond as this is part of your right as a consumer.
LISTING OF ANIMAL BASED FOOD PRODUCTS Albumen: derived from eggs from factory farmed hens. Alcohol: Clarifying agents can be obtained from a variety of sources including gelatin, egg albumin, charcoal made from bones. Alternatives are tannin cellulose, pectinases and fungal protease. Isinglass (fish derivative) may be replaced with bentonite, kaolin and silica gel. Traditional cask beers are usually clarified with isinglass derived from swim bladders of fish. Canned and some bottle beers are filtered without using animal substances. All beers, Kingfisher, Khajurao, charger, kalyani Black label etc., made in India use Isinglass.
Aspic: jelly derived from meat & fish. Ajinomoto: Japanese product made from fish hydrolysate. Similar to mono sodium glutamate, which is made from sugar beet pulp and Wheat gluten. Breads/buns /rolls: often glazed with eggs, milk, melted fat or oil usually utilizing a pig bristle brush. Oil mixed in a little oil can replace eggs used for coating and glazing. Calcium phosphate of animal origin (bones) is sometimes used to improve dough-making properties of bread. Vegetarian breads are Gardenia White & whole meal breads Oven pick Bread, klassic. Biscuits: Kwality biscuits use animal-based enzymes. Shramik Foods biscuits contain margarine. Vegetarian brands are parle-G, Glucose, Monaco, Krackjack, Cheese lings. Cheese: milk-based. Most foreign cheeses contain calf/ animal rennet (stomach acids obtained by slitting
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8/11/2009
