Since the late 80’s, my daughter Shilpa had been talking about becoming vegan someday, and in 1995, she took the bold step that would change our family forever—she became the first in our household to embrace veganism. Through this process, as parents, we supported her dietary choice but remained skeptical about the underlying reasons for her decision. We often challenged Shilpa’s commitment, probing her with tough questions about why veganism was a moral necessity. One poignant moment came when she passionately declared, “Dad, you will never grasp the harsh realities of the dairy industry until you see for yourself the cruelty that is inflicted upon cows to extract their milk.” Her words struck a chord, and I took her challenge to heart. In 1995, I embarked on a transformative journey to a dairy farm near Burlington, VT, with a friend.

What I saw was nothing short of a soul-shattering revelation. The daily routine at the farm, coupled with the inhumane treatment of the animals, left me utterly devastated and deeply moved. In that moment of profound clarity, I vowed to commit to a vegan lifestyle for the rest of my life. The experience compelled me to pen an essay titled “My Visit to a Dairy Farm,” which resonated widely and elicited numerous heartfelt responses from readers of Jain Digest and other forums.

That life-altering visit was 30 years ago. Today, at 84 years old, I stand proud and healthy as a testament to the benefits of a vegan diet. I have no diabetes or cholesterol issues, my weight remains well-managed, and I take almost no medications to maintain my robust health. My beloved wife, Arti, soon embraced veganism with open arms.

As a Jain, I deeply respect those who abstain from root vegetables to avoid harming the countless Ekindriya Jeevs. Yet, I find myself puzzled and saddened by the apparent disregard for the suffering of Panchandriya Jeevs, such as cows, whose milk is still consumed. Our sacred scriptures clearly label milk and ghee as Vigais—substances that corrupt the soul. It pains me to see that the message of veganism, rooted in compassion and non-violence, has not yet reached the hearts of all in our community.