Meet the Cutest Vegetarians Alive!

Being vegetarian has never been easier, and with more and more people going veg every day, it makes our job of deciding who the Cutest Vegetarian Alive is a whole lot harder – which is why we asked for your help! After narrowing down the hundreds of entries we received from across India to 10 boys and 10 girls, we left it up to you to pick your favourite in each category. With more than 20,000 votes cast, it was an extremely close race. And the winners of petaDishoom's first-ever Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest are ...

Gunjar Rawat
Age 22
Jodhpur

Born into a Rajput family, Gunjar gave up meat 13 years ago after she saw a chicken barbarically killed. "It was the most gruesome thing I had seen", she says. "That day onwards, I stopped having non-veg food." A "happy vegetarian" who loves to smile and tries to steer clear of pessimistic people, Gunjar loves to play with cute companion animals and go driving. Now in her final year at Manit Bhopal, this compassionate cutie will soon have one more thing to smile about: a degree in engineering. With her positive attitude, love of animals and dedication to being a vegetarian, it's no wonder Gunjar garnered so many of your votes!

Tajinder Singh
Age 22
Jagadhri

A vegetarian since he went on a trip to Ludhiana with his dad when he was 8 years old and "saw thousands of chickens being mercilessly slaughtered in the open markets and on the road", Tajinder has been involved with animal rights for the last six years. Named a Star Street Teamer for completing loads of missions, he has also done many presentations for local cable channels and is working on a telefilm about animals. Even though he's busy working on his MBA in marketing, Tajinder always makes time to help animals. "I want to use the media and newspapers to publicise PETA's mission and goals all around my town, and I will continue to do my part to spread the word about vegetarianism", says the dedicated activist. When not getting active for animals, this aspiring screenwriter loves to write, chat, listen to music and hang out with his equally cute dog, Buzzo.

A big thank-you to everyone who voted from all of us here at petaDishoom. Although Gunjar and Tajinder took home the big honours (and brand-new mobile phones as prizes), anyone who leaves meat off his or her plate can't help but be completely adorable by default. Compassion and cuteness definitely go hand in hand, at least in our eyes (and in the eyes of the animals whose lives were spared!). After all, when we eat, we have a choice between adding to the level of violence in the world or respecting animals and eating vegetarian instead.

From avoiding the inexcusable cruelty to animals in factory farms and slaughterhouses to improving your health, skin and physique to helping the environment, going vegetarian is the single best choice you can make for animals, your body, the Earth and your taste buds!

Take a cue from these cute folks and keep flesh off your plate. It's much easier than you think and better for everyone involved. Forward our "Change Everything" e-card to all your friends to educate them about vegetarianism.