A Day of Kindness, Conversations & Conscious Living — My Experience at the Ahimsahara Launch

Some events don’t just feel like gatherings — they feel like chapters unfolding in your own journey. That’s exactly what the recent vegan event in Hyderabad felt like for me. I was invited for the launch of Ahimsahara, a beautiful new beginning by our very own Shankar sir, and like every time, he made sure I didn’t miss this one too! My association with him goes back to the early vegan festivals and events in Bangalore, and each time I walk away learning something new, feeling something deeper, and smiling a little wider.

A Cafe That Has Always Felt Like Home
The event took place at Vibrant Living Café, run by the ever-inspiring Sreedevi Jasti garu. My connection with her goes back to the time when she first introduced plant-based food to Hyderabad — a time when the concept was new, exciting, and needed someone exactly like her to bring it alive. Our farm products have been part of her café for years, and so has the warm bond we share. Walking into Vibrant Living always feels like stepping into a space that breathes goodness.

A Beautiful Surprise — Meeting Amala Akkineni Ma’am
The sweetest highlight of the day was meeting Amala Akkineni ma’am. Gentle, soft spoken, humble to the core — she truly embodies everything graceful. I was honestly a little stunned by her simplicity. We had a lovely conversation, and I got to gift her a specially curated hamper from ANO, which made my day even more special.

Speakers Who Left Us Thinking
The event had an incredible lineup of speakers, each bringing something meaningful to the table. One of my favourites, Swathi Dhariwal, shared profound insights on Vitamin B12 and IBD — a topic many misunderstand or overlook. Her clarity, experience, and practice-based inputs made the session deeply valuable.

Sreedevi Jasti garu also spoke about something that resonated deeply — how the human body can generate its own protein when nourished with the right foods and supported by a healthy gut. A reminder that nature truly equips us with everything we need when we care for it mindfully.

A Lunch That Felt Like Home
And of course, I have to mention the amazing lunch we enjoyed at Vibrant Living. A meal so beautifully rooted in our culture — simple, wholesome, completely vegan, and absolutely delicious. It was the kind of food that doesn’t just fill you, but comforts you… the kind that reminds you how rich and nourishing our traditional ingredients can be when treated with love and intention.

A Philosophy That Goes Beyond Diet
What I’ve always admired about Shankar sir is his approach to veganism. For him — and now for many of us — veganism isn’t activism or aggression. It’s a choice to be kinder, to be wiser, to live with awareness and without arrogance. It’s a way of walking gently through life, making choices that align with compassion.

Walking Away With Gratitude
As I left the event, I felt full — full of gratitude, full of learning, full of warmth. Ahimsahara is not just a launch; it’s a movement of gentle transformation. I’m grateful I could witness it, be part of it, and share space with such beautiful souls.

Here’s to journeys rooted in kindness, to communities built on compassion, and to many more moments that remind us why we choose this path.