Ghas phus gurlz

They hail from diverse backgrounds and have tread different career paths — but one common passion has brought these girls together. Meet these five fabulous vegan hudugis from the city who are getting together to organise nammooru’s first annual vegan festival. Having chosen to walk the vegan path and also do the necessary talk, these ladies get candid about their way of life…

Anushree Kamath: A 26-year-old BBM graduate, she’s been vegan for the past four years. Founder of a plant-based dairy alternative provider, this zealous lass organises various vegan events. Having volunteered as an animal rights activist to create awareness about animal cruelty and veganism, Anushree also fosters cats/pigeons in the neighborhood and rescues animals. “I don’t find a difference between a cat, dolphin or hen — on moral grounds, they’re all the same. The need of the hour is to spread more love and peace and end suffering — it starts with what we put on our plates and in our bellies,” she says.

Namita Satheesh: At 21, this architecture student is a street activist who’s vocal about animal rights. Having turned vegetarian five years earlier, she went vegan a few months ago. Namita regularly fosters puppies and kittens that have been found on the street, cares for them and helps them get adopted. This curious mind is sure that making an impact on the animal rights movement will take up a sizeable part of her life. “To me, being vegan is a moral imperative. We don’t have the right over another life. When we can choose to eat plants and live healthy, why must we choose to hurt an animal?” asks Namita, who’s looking forward to introducing people to veganism with talks, workshops and documentaries at the fest.

Rheea Mukherjee: This 34-year-old of a design and content laboratory has been an ardent vegan for two years now. The author of Transit for Beginners, she’s also been a social worker, mental health counselor and street theatre activist. This multi-faceted lady has two adopted Indian dogs Nimbu and Henna, and regularly blogs about veganism. “Being vegan is my way of protesting about what we’ve done to the world right now. It’s about the peace it gives me and my own ability to do the least harm I can,” reveals Rheea. 

Shweta Thakur: A task-master, this 33-year-old became a vegan in 2016 after understanding the adverse impact of animal agriculture on the climate. Ever since, she’s been encouraging her family, friends and colleagues to follow suit. Having rescued several cats and dogs, she says, “Veganism is about being ethical, aware, conscious and making an individual contribution for the larger good. I think vegans will save the world,” smiles Shweta, who runs a creative agency in Bengaluru.

Teena Bethann: All of 20, this literature student has been doing street activism for a year now. Having organised the 2017 World Vegan Day event in the city, she’s also an active animal rescuer. “I feel at peace knowing that I’m no longer contributing to the suffering of animals,” she says.

As for the fest, which will be held on May 26 and 27 at a mall in  Whitefield she says, “The most common misconception that we come across is ‘do you eat ghas phoos (grass)? We’ve veganised food like biryani, kebabs, cheese etc. We’re hoping that a huge mental block is removed through this.’”