Article written in 2008

The World Vegetarian Congress Dresden, Germany.

The first international congress was held in Dresden in 1908 and to celebrate the centenary the congress was held again in Dresden from 27th July to 2nd August 2008. Dresden which was extensively bombed at the end of the Second World War is today a very beautiful city. Like many European cities it has a huge square in the centre of the city. There is a beautiful Cathedral and it is a great pleasure to walk there in the early evening. People sit in the open air Cafes and bars till late in the night.

One evening as I walked in the square I heard the familiar, ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare! Men in dhotis and women in saris were happily chanting the name of the God. Way back in 1972 I had first seen the Hare Krishna people chanting in Nairobi and I was mesmerised! I had the same feeling seeing the devotees in Dresden and I joined them! This being a vegetarian congress the food was amazing! There were around 35 vegan dishes for lunch and almost the same number for dinner. We ate like there was no tomorrow! Lunch and dinner times are great for getting to know delegates from other countries. One could hear German, French, Spanish and many other languages. Every one united in the common goal of promoting vegetarianism and Ahimsa.

Talking to many delegates it is surprising that many have an Indian/ Hindu connection. I met a young doctor from the Czech Republic. He said he had become a strict vegetarian after meeting his Guru Swami Maheshvarananda. He regularly attends Satsang in his town and they sing Bhajans in Hindi! His spiritual name is Vivek Puri. He said he was always seeking for a meaningful life and has found it through his Guru. Konrad Borst is a 75 year old German whose life is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. He speaks fluent Hindi. In 1955 he was at the Sevagram Ashram in India. He worked under Arya Nayakam who was very close to Gandhiji. Their task was to rescue the children who were orphaned during the communal violence of the partition. Many of these children went on to do great things when they grew up. Konrad greatly loves Indian culture and its philosophy of Ahimsa.

There were followers of the Supreme Master Ching Hai who has around 250,000 followers all of whom have to be vegetarian or vegan. A delegate from Kolkata, Mrs. Purnima Toolsidas represented a group of dedicated individuals who take care of stray dogs, neuter them and find them homes or release them on the outskirts of Kolkata. These dogs would otherwise be killed by the municipal authorities. Veterinary care is provided for the dogs also. There are many dedicated individuals like Purnima. Quite often they work under impossible conditions and are always short of funds but their compassion keeps them going. This group could do with support and if anyone is interested they could contact me. For European vegetarians and vegetarians from other parts of the world the Hindu and Jain concept of Ahimsa is something that they find unique and they have great respect for Indians. In the evenings there used to be entertainment and one evening we had a group of musicians – their name was, ‘Ambarish’. I was intrigued as Ambarish was a great sage mentioned in the Srimad Bhagvatam. I soon found out that the group was devotees of Hare Krishna movement!

The Germans were great hosts and the people in general were friendly. Most of the delegates stayed at a hostel which was very reasonably priced. Some rooms were en-suite some had communal baths! Special breakfast was organised for the vegetarian delegates. Walking around the city you hardly see any graffiti the streets are clean and the trains and trams are spotless! The transport system is brilliant. I did a trip to Prague from Dresden. Right in the heart of Prague is the Country Life Restaurant run by the 7th Day Adventists. Most 7th Day Adventists are vegetarian or vegan. The vegan pizza was amazing!

On the final day a grand gala dinner was organised and the venue for the next congress announced. In 2010 the congress will be in Jakarta, Indonesia. Out of all the vegetarian organisations, the Indonesian vegetarian society has the highest number of members, around 25,000! Part of the congress will also take place in Bali. Vegetarianism is India’s great gift to the world-Indian should cherish and nurture this great ideal.

Nitin Mehta MBE

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