National Youth Day: Alicia Silverstone feeds vegan breakfast to over 2,000 children and animals in Mumbai

On National Youth Day, Hollywood star Alicia Silverstone partnered with PETA India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and organised ‘super-shakti’ vegan breakfasts for more than 2,000 children at Mumbai’s municipal schools. Not just that, she also contributed to the feeding of over 2,000 community animals. 

The vegan breakfasts consisted of corn khichdi, jowar popcorn and kala chana chaat. The menu was chosen keeping in mind vitamin, fibre and protein foods. The food was coordinated through the Akshaya Chaitanya Foundation.

There has been a rise in popularity in vegan food in recent times. So much so that some schools around the world serve only vegan meals; this includes the German International Academy in Chennai. 

Alicia has been a vegan for many years now. Speaking about why she chose to contribute by serving vegan food, Alicia said in a statement released by PETA India, “With India emerging as a global leader in film, technology and other areas, vitamin- and protein-packed vegan foods can give its youngsters the best chance to succeed. I’m happy to join my friends at PETA India in celebrating the country’s National Youth Day by treating Mumbai schoolchildren to healthy vegan starts to their day. And as animals are loved by children and are members of our communities, thousands of them are being fed, too.”

It is interesting to note that Alicia has starred in several PETA US campaigns, advocating for an end to animal exploitation for food, fashion and other human interests. 

Alciia made her film debut in 1995 with the film Clueless. She last appeared in the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club and Masters of the Universe: Revelation. She will next be seen in the crime thriller Reptile, in which she shares screen space with Justin Timberlake.