As we look forward to 2022, we would like to share some important updates and accomplishments of Mercy For Animals India Foundation in 2021.
Vegan Foods Will Likely Have a New Label Soon
Vegan foods may get a distinct label. Mercy For Animals India’s campaigns, representations to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and meetings with officials have helped make this happen.
Policymakers Showed Their Appreciation for Mercy For Animals India
We received letters of encouragement and support from several distinguished members of Parliament, including Shri Amit Shah, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh, Shri Parimal Nathwani and Shri Jagdish Mukhi.
Stars Came Together to Lend Their Voices to Animals
Actor and ardent animal lover John Abraham appeared in a Mercy For Animals ad encouraging people to be kind to animals. The ad’s tagline reads, ‘In a world where you can be anything, be nice.’ Abraham has spoken up for animals on various platforms, including the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Many other celebrities joined our call for compassion and encouraged plant-based eating, including Sadaa Sayed, Ashmit Patel, Anushka Manchanda, Sanam Puri, Daksha Nagarkar, and Ayesha Takia.
We Honoured #WomenForAnimals
On International Women’s Day, we celebrated women in India who have striven valiantly to make the world a better place for animals.
We Spread the Word on National and International Platforms
Mercy For Animals India CEO Nikunj Sharma mentored fellows in the Ahimsa Fellowship programme, training them on policy, media, and government affairs. He also spoke at VegFest Morocco and recorded a podcast episode for Springworks and one—probably the cutest of the year—with the eight-year-old host of Curious Vedanth.
Collaborations
- Mercy For Animals and the George Institute Signed MoU
Mercy For Animals India Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with the George Institute for Global Health India to advance ‘One Health’ research in India. Established in 2007, the George Institute for Global Health India is a leading independent medical research institute with a mission to improve the health of millions of people in India through high-quality discovery and implementation research. The George Institute India and Mercy For Animals India will work together on a three-year strategy for effective One Health collaborations around infectious disease and to establish channels to share knowledge among animal welfare experts, public health researchers, clinicians, and health system experts in India.
- Mercy For Animals Partnered with Vegan Cloud Kitchen Ubuntu Eat
To highlight the importance of cafes and restaurants in creating a space for plant-based consumers, Mercy For Animals India released a campaign video featuring Ubuntu Eat for World Vegan Month in November. Ubuntu Eat is a takeaway and delivery kitchen that recently opened in Mumbai after the success of Ubuntu’s community restaurant in Kolkata. Aiming to veganise people’s favourite nonvegetarian dishes without compromising taste, texture, pleasure, or affordability, they have created a diverse menu with a wide variety of cuisines—Indian, Lebanese, Chinese, Thai, and Italian—and hope to expand to other cities to offer more ‘kindelicious’ food options.
Smt. Maneka Gandhi Narrated the Harrowing Tale of Asha
Member of Parliament and well-known animal activist Maneka Gandhi recorded a public service announcement for Mercy For Animals India to highlight the plight of animals raised for milk. In the PSA video, The Dark Truth of the Dairy Industry, Smt. Gandhi discusses the horrific abuse of cows, buffaloes, and calves in India’s dairy industry.
Online Contests and Giveaways
We organised contests with GoodDot, Blue Tribe, Bombay Cheese Company, Wakão Foods, and Piperleaf and even gave away Beyond Meat burger patties on Independence Day to introduce the public to more plant-based foods.
At Mercy For Animals India Foundation, we are determined to make 2022 a kinder year for animals. But the compassion and generosity of supporters like you drive this vital work. Right now, your gift can go twice as far for animals who need our help. You can make a contribution here.