VUNA Views, Vol. 8, No. 2, Spring (June), 1999

VUNA Views, Vol. 8, No. 2, Spring (June), 1999

MEET THE VUNA REGIONAL COUNCIL
In Their Own Words

VUNA's long search for a volunteer treasurer to take over from Madge Darneifle who decided to retire after many years of service to the vegetarian movement, come to friutian when Kishor Pokharna of Pittsburgh offered to take on the job and the Regional Council confirned his appointment last December. A hftlong vegetarian, Kishor here tells how his commitment to vegetarianism influences his daily life and shares some thcntghts on vegetarian prospects today.

Kishor Pokharna:

Hello, my friends. I am honored to be the new treasurer for VUNA. I live in Pittsburgh with my wife, Renu, and my two young children, Pooja, 4, and Rahul, 2. Because we practice Jainism, no member of my family has ever tasted meat. The chief tenet of Jainism is nonviolence, and most Jains strictly avoid meat. Every night, I tell my children bedtime stories that emphasize vegetarianism and nonviolence. Now. when we drive past a fast-food restaurant, my daughter says to me, "Papa, we don't go there because we don't eat animals."

I frequently am asked to speak to groups at colleges and cornmuiiity organizations about vegetariarism, Jainism, and nonviolence. I also have been active with local vegetarian groups in their outreach efforts. We have a lot of work to do here in North America - it seems that many of our neighbors are unaware of the fact that a large proportion of the world's population is vegetarian, and that ours is also the most healthful human diet.

To me this represents an opportunity. Although it is hard to be patient, I have seen considerable improvements over the fourteen years since I came to this country from India. when I dine out, as I often must do on business I see far more vegetarian options on the menu than I did then. And I take every opportunity to educate my colleagues and dinner partners about the advantages of vegetarianism.

The VUNA treasurer position is a natural fit for me - I have an accounting degree and a law degree, and currently work in information risk management with a major Pittsburgh accounting finn. My wife is a physician. The children attend private preschool. Together, we are active in the Pittsbutgh Jain society and enjoy hosting our friends for traditional Indian meals. If you're ever in Pittsburgh, get in touch. We'll get to know each other over a homemade dosa dinner You can reach me at 412-563-7590 or e-mail me at kpokharna@kpmg.com

Maintained by Judy Miner jwminer@accessvt.com
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