Nitin Mehta MBE

Argumentative, Opinionated, Activist!

Articles

A collection of articles on a broad range of topics

Letters

Letters to a vast range of publications, everything from fox hunting to religion

Events

Events I have been involved in

Campaigns

Campaigns to promote the cause of vegetarianiam

Musings

Talks, debates, media interviews.

Pictures

Some images from events

Profile of Nitin Mehta, MBE

Nitin Mehta was born in Kisumu, Kenya. He has lived in the UK for many years.  He is a dedicated professional with an excellent reputation in organising cultural events. He is a passionate and a renowned speaker on India’s spiritual heritage as well as vegetarianism and veganism. He is also an active campaigner for animal rights. He was instrumental in setting up the first vegetarian society in Kenya, Mauritius, New Delhi, Paris, Lisbon and in the states of Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, India. Apart from English he speaks fluent Swahili, Hindi, Gujarati and Punjabi. Nitin holds a degree in Sociology from Goldsmiths and is the owner of an Auto Parts business.

ACHIEVEMENTS
  • 1975: Founder of Bharatiya Sanskar Kendra (Indian Cultural Centre). Duties included organising youth clubs and liaising with the local authorities regarding Indian affairs.
  • 1974-1994: Taught Gujarati Language every Saturday for 20 years in Croydon and Tooting.
  • 1981 to 2017: Has organised a Christmas Lunch  every year to enhance community cohesion. 37 years so far!
  • 1978: Founded the Young Indian Vegetarians Society
  • 1990: Organised the first mass vegetarian rally in Hyde Park.
  • 1991: Founded the Jain Animal Sanctuary which has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to animal sanctuaries over the years.
  • 2017: Shree Vishwa Sanatan Dharma Mandir (Hindu Temple), 132 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, Surrey, CRO 2LA founded by Manmohan Abbot, becomes the first temple anywhere to go Vegan. Only non-dairy milk is offered to God
PUBLIC SERVICES
  • 1974-1976: ‘Keep the Pond Tidy’ group.
  • 1986-1988: Croydon Guild of Voluntary Organisations (now Croydon Voluntary Action).
  • 1988: Hindu Temple on Enmore Road, South Norwood for four years.
  • 1990: Police Consultative Committee in Croydon for 3 years.
  • 1995: Chairman of Croydon Economic Forum for 2 years.
  • 1996: Governor of Croydon College served for 6 years
  • 1998: Electricity Consumers Council (South East Region).
  • 2004: Board of directors for Compassion in World Farming.
  • 2004: Volunteer for ‘ NightWatch’ running a soup kitchen every night for the homeless in Croydon
  • 2005: Patron for Quaker Concern for Animals
  • 2011: Appointed to serve on Croydon Task Force in the aftermath of riots in the town
AWARDS
  • 1995: Led a group of young performers at
    the VE day celebrations in Hyde Park, received a certificate of commendation.
  • 1999: MBE in Queens’s birthday honour’s list.
  • 2002: Award from Ken Livingston (Mayor
    for London) for making a significant contribution to London.
  • 2006: Received ‘Sanskar Garima’ award for services to Gujarati language and Vegetarianism from Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice publications.
  • 2008: Presented with the, ‘Glory of India’ by India
    International Friendship Society for promoting Indian Culture in the UK.
  • 2011: Received Ahimsa award from the Institute of Jainology, UK.
  • 2012: Award for being a volunteer for the Night Watch Charity which provides food for the homeless in Croydon every night.
AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING BOOKS
  • Future in our Hands
  • A request to the people of India from the vegetarians of the world.
  • Benefits of Vegetarianism to Africa
  • Sunil’s Kenyan Days’
  • Easy Gujarati
  • India a civilisation the world fails to recognise.

Ahimsa Magazine 2018

Through the Young Indian Vegetarians, an organisation devoted to promoting the benefits of a vegetarian diet and exposing the cruelties involved in the production of animal based foodstuffs, Nitin produces an annual newsletter “Ahimsa”.

Ahimsa

əˈhɪmsɑː/

noun
noun: ahimsa
  1. (in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist tradition) respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others.

Origin

Sanskrit, from a ‘non-, without’ + hiṃsā ‘violence’.

How many animals are killed for food each year in the UK

million cattle

million pigs

million chickens

thousand tonnes of fish

Why are Western European Governments beating war drums?

My article published in the Blitz Indian paper The ongoing Russia, Ukraine war has reached a dangerous and complicated stage. To unravel the present situation we need to look back at the beginning of the conflict. In 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine fearing that it will...

Jain Animal Sanctuary 

Donations made by the Jain Animal Sanctuary from January 2025 to March2025. First I would like to thank all those who support us either by monthlydonations or on a one off basis. A special thanks to Hasmukh Tanna who made a donation of £501 from hislate brothers Himat...

Film on India and my advice to the producer/director

British Indian Makes a film on Police Brutality, Caste oppression and Misogyny and Sexual violence in India. My advice to her: Subject: hhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/26/santosh-film-blocked-india-police-brutality-cannesAn article by Hannah Ellis Petersen...

More From The Guardian !

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/24/mumbai-comedy-club-ransacked-after-kunal-kamra-joke-about-local-politician Once again Hannah Ellis Petersen has written an anti-Hindu article. This time it is the oft repeated moan about freedom or lack of it under Hindu...

Now Let’s Pray For the Release of Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav

In our Mandir in Croydon (Vishwa Sanatan Mandir) we organised several prayers for the safe return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station. We also encouraged people to pray for them individually every day.  Now they are safely back....

Cricket for a change!

In an article in the Times on 19th March 2026, former England captain Michael Atherton talked about Bazball Cricket. His contention was that after the constrains of Covid England had come up with the idea of Bazball Cricket. It meant that players would play hard...

H.H. Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji Maharaj

June 15th 1926 – April 22nd 1994

Guruji Sushil Kumar Maharaj’s Instructions

Promote tree planting throughout India
Promote vegetarianism and save the animal wealth of India from going to slaughterhouses
Organise, unite & fight for ahimsa

Do’s and Don’ts

R

Do persuade others to give up meat.

R

Do speak the word 'vegetarian' at every opportunity.

R

Go only to vegetarian restaurants.

 
R

Don't wear or buy leather goods, (sofas shoes etc).

Total Page Visits: 27288 - Today Page Visits: 19

Pin It on Pinterest