This month, mark your calendars for the biggest vegan festival in Mumbai

Mountaineer Kuntal Joisher is among the 70 speakers at the Ahimsa Festival

If you’ve been considering a vegan lifestyle, the Ahimsa Festival 2016 maybe the best place to get started. Next weekend, some of the most well-known vegans and prominent speakers including PETA’s (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals) president Ingrid E Newkirk and Mumbai-based mountaineer Kuntal Joisher, who scaled Mt Everest earlier this year, among others will take to stage to talk about compassion towards animals and a vegan way of life at the festival, which will be held in the North Mumbai suburb of Vile Parle.

There will be talks on a range of subjects including fitness, animal rights and environment. Says Joisher, “I am also going to be sharing my journey as the first vegan in the world to climb Mt. Everest, and talk about fitness and nutrition.” At the wellness room at the festival, doctors and other health experts will talk about diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity and how they can be reversed by switching to a vegan diet. The vegan fitness room is where everyone from bodybuilders and fitness experts will discuss the benefits of a vegan diet.

For parents who want to introduce their kids to veganism and pets, PETA India will set up an activity room that will build awareness on animals. The festival will also include a Students Activity space for children and prizes will be given away for the best drawing and digital presentations among other activities.

The 12-hour festival will include cooking demonstrations by 12 experts at a special demo room dedicated to vegan cooking and recipes will also be shared at the festival. Besides, vegan food will also be sold at the Ahimsa Cafe set up especially for the fest. For those who want to try vegan products, 50 stalls will sell and showcase vegan and animal friendly produce at the festival.

When: November 20, 10 am-10 pm

Where: Jashoda Rang Manch, NM College, Juhu

Entry: Free

Email: Ashishcm2@yahoo.com

Phone: 9821127475