We recently celebrated Diwali, the biggest festival in India, and it is all about hope, light, and the spirit of life. On this occasion, I wanted to share what keeps me going.
If you’ve been feeling burned out from witnessing animal cruelty or from everything else wrong with the world, like raging wars and leaders denying climate change, I hope this brings a bit of light to you.
Lighting the Path for Future Culinary Experts
Last quarter, we launched our new Vegan Culinary Advancement Program (VCAP) to bring plant-based culinary education into mainstream hospitality training.
In September, the NIMS Institute of Hotel Management, Jaipur, and the St. Joseph’s Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Palai, signed Memoranda of Understanding to integrate VCAP into their degree programs. Together, over 700 students each year will now learn plant-based cooking as part of their curriculum, shaping the future of India’s food industry.
Sharing the Light: Changing the Narrative
Through our media outreach, we continue to engage regional journalists to highlight the connection between animal agriculture, climate change, and human health. Regional newspapers play a vital role in shaping public opinion, as their stories reach people in their local languages and contexts.
In the last quarter, we received 16 media mentions, amplifying awareness and helping more communities understand why transforming our food systems matters.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs Has Extended Its Collaboration With Us for Three More Years
Our Food Planet Health Awareness sessions continue to engage approximately 50,000 students annually. The impact of this work has led the Ministry of Youth Affairs to extend our collaboration for an additional three years.
As part of this partnership, we support the ministry in incorporating plant-based diets as a key strategy within the Indian government’s Fit India Movement, helping drive lasting, systemic change at the institutional level.
In the last quarter alone, we:
- Helped 15,691 students try vegan
- Organized 84 webinars
- Reached out to 382 colleges
Stories That Shine: A Dedicated Page for Impact Stories
Last quarter, we launched our Impact Story page, featuring testimonials from individuals who have transformed their lifelong beliefs about animals and adopted a vegan lifestyle.
Learn about their journeys and the stories of how they overcame their challenges!
Meet One of Our Team Members, Inspiring Thousands of Such Individuals
Headshot of Varsha Shankar, our newest Outreach Coordinator.
“Veganism unlocked a playful curiosity in me, and now the kitchen is my canvas. For me, veganism is repair in action. A plate that refuses harm, a habit that protects futures, and a promise to the voiceless. As an outreach coordinator at Vegan Outreach, I aim to educate and help shift norms toward food that harms none and returns life to animals, to people, and to the Earth.”
– Varsha Shankar
Outreach Coordinator
Your support is like a Diwali lamp, fueling hope, strength, and positivity in us. In the same way, we hope our work brings light to you. This Diwali, continue believing in us and help us save more animals across India.
If our work inspired hope and positivity in you, consider sharing it with someone who might need to read this.
Learn more about our work in India!
With gratitude,
Richa Mehta
Director of Programs, Asia-Pacific
