Cricketer and commentator Kartik Murali was presented the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India’s Compassionate Athlete Award last week.
“I have been associated with PETA for five years now and take pride in the fact that I am a vegetarian. It would be tough during our cricket tours to find vegetarian food but things improved over a period of time. I am happy to note that a large number of people have taken to vegetarian,” he said.
The award was presented to Kartik to recognise his work in encouraging the public to follow his lead by going meat-free. He contributed immensely by promoting vegetarian meals on social media.
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Kartik’s campaign is aimed at highlighting the sufferings of animals in the meat industry like birds and other animals killed for food, stuffed into vehicles for slaughter in such high numbers that many sustain broken bones, suffocate or die en route.
In addition to his work to promote vegetarian meals, Kartik is quick to report animals in distress to PETA India. Among those associated with the campaign are Anil Kumble, Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar, billiards ace Pankaj Advani, legendary singer Paul McCartney.