KATHMANDU: Litterateur Mahesh Bikram Shah, who won the ‘Madan Puraskar’ for his story collection, Chhaapamaarko Chhoro, is also a former Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

Initially non-vegetarian, he became a vegetarian two decades ago.

Here is the vegetarian dialogue Nepal News had with him:

You were once a non-vegetarian and later became a vegetarian. Was there any specific event or reason?

On the first day I went to learn yoga, in around 2004, my guru told me, “If you want to learn yoga, become a vegetarian.” Inspired by that very advice, I became a vegetarian and also learned yoga.

What is your favorite dish?

Daal, Bhaat, Tarkari (lentils, rice, and vegetables), and Chutney. Specifically, I like thick black lentil soup and tomato chutney.

It’s often heard that without fish and meat, one’s diet is insufficient or life is incomplete, isn’t it?

You can get as much protein as you need from milk, curd, cottage cheese, legumes, and green vegetables. Whether a life is complete or incomplete depends entirely on the individual’s perception.

What do you say to those who mock vegetarian momos by saying, “If it’s momo, why bother eating vegetable momo?”

A person should worry about themselves and eat what they like. Others eating will not fill your stomach, nor will others not eating make you go hungry. Eat what you like and enjoy yourself.

Are there any disadvantages to being a vegetarian?

It hasn’t made a difference in my own country, but I have suffered a lot abroad. While in Sudan, I had to return from parties after eating only raw onion and tomato.

If you were to cook fish or meat yourself, which dish would you prepare?

Just this Dashain, I cooked mutton gravy and chicken roast for the guests. I don’t have a personal preference.

Is there any significant change in your perspective before and after becoming a vegetarian?

The only traditional change following my adoption of vegetarianism has been the discontinuation of animal sacrifices during Dashain and similar religious periods.