The Vegan Movement Is Having A Moment

THE 2020 findings of multinational market research organisation, Ipsos Global, show that 19 per cent of the Indian population identifies itself as vegan, putting ghee aside. Going by the country’s 1.353 billion population today, the number comes to around 257 million.

- Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Little wonder then that a rise in people adopting the vegan lifestyle has led to a spurt in vegan restaurants around the country too. Delhi-NCR is no exception. The Capital has a lot to tell about the increasing tribe of people who want nothing to do with animal milk or food. Sensing this change, regular restaurants are including vegan dishes in their menus. Apart from hiend grocery stores like Modern Bazaar, Foodhall, even local grocers are now selling vegan ingredients.

“Ten years ago, it was difficult to find a vegan product. Today, most restaurants and grocery stores are even offering vegan cakes, desserts, and cheese. Seven years ago, I saw only one brand selling soy milk. Now, many Indian and foreign brands sell soy milk, almond milk, oat milk… The market is flooded with options,” says Siddharth Kothari, 29.