Star Street Teamer: R. Sorav Jain

With his big heart and big personality, Sorav is a big star in the animal rights universe!

Name: R. Sorav Jain
Age: 20
Hometown: Chennai, India

Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I’m a fun-loving guy who believes in humanity more than anything else. Right now I’m studying biotechnology at Loyola College. I love animals and help them out when they have difficulties. With regards to my hobbies, I love playing with my heartbeat Jimmy (my companion Jimmy) and participating in various intercollegiate fests. In addition to all this, I like chatting with all my friends for hours. Of course, I’m very talkative!

Q: Tell us why you are vegetarian. What made you decide to go vegetarian?
A: Well, I was born into a vegetarian family. I follow Jainism and have never tasted non-vegetarian food in my life, because doing so is a sin according to my religion. I’m a strict follower of Lord Mahavir and his various disciples, especially “ahimsa”. I don’t like eating vegetarian foods in non-vegetarian restaurants because whenever I see someone eating a little creature, I either vomit or burst into tears! Because of my religious family background, I’ve never thought of eating a non-veg food, and I’m proud of it. I am planning to go vegan.

Q: What is your advice to young people trying to go vegetarian or vegan?
A: A vegetarian diet will help you and animals in so many ways. You’ll be responsible for sparing thousands of lives! It’s completely possible for a human being to be on a vegetarian/vegan diet. It’ll soothe your stomach and give relief to the entire body because vegetarian and vegan food are more easily digestible compared to animal flesh. A vegetarian/vegan diet will also keep you healthy and fit.

Q: How long have you been helping animals? What got you interested in animal rights?
A: I have been helping animals since my eighth standard when I was a member of the Karuna Club and helped to organise many awareness camps in and among schools. Later, in standard 11, I became the student director of the Karuna Club of my school. As soon as I joined my college, I learned about PETA India. Since then, I’ve joined this wonderful and noble group and started helping animals in a different way by educating people about animal rights issues. Since I also believe in helping out animals physically, I regularly visit an animal shelter nearby. I also help out the stray dogs at my college, feeding them every day and giving them lots of love and attention. I have been invited as a guest lecturer many times to educate fellow students about animal rights. I have also participated and helped in organising various PETA events. Regarding my interest in animal rights, I can just tell you one thing: Animal rights is in my blood. Even my father is associated with various organisations which save animals.

Q: Tell us about the PETA demonstrations and other events you’ve been a part of.
A: Up until now we have done two PETA demonstrations in Chennai. One was on how “Meat Kills” and the other was on eggs. Both were wonderful experiences. Although the former one was scary because we forgot to get permission from the police and they wanted to arrest us on the demonstration platform, it made me braver. The latter one was awesome because I learned how to seek permission from the cops, which is very tough. In addition to this, I have taken part in a three-day tabling event in IIT Chennai during their cultural fest – “SAARANG 2006”.

Q: What do you think about petaDishoom, PETA India’s new youth programme? What got you most excited about it?
A: petaDishoom is a good platform to discuss animal issues, and it encourages young people to support animal rights. I love the message boards and have met various animal rights supporters from all around the country. This site will surely help many young people find solutions for their various queries related to animal rights issues. It’s great!

Q: What advice do you have for anyone who sees an animal in distress?
A: To give them love and food, take care of them and make them feel at ease. I have various dog friends at my college, and in my free time I play with them, remove ticks and mites from their bodies, and defend them against the students who abuse them. If nothing else, just sit by their side and speak to them. But the most important thing you can do for them is get all stray dogs and cats sterilised.

Q: What do you plan to do in the future?
A: I’m planning on getting a MSc in financial management from the UK. I hope to be there in September 2007. But helping and saving animals will always be a part of me.