Vegetarian Community

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Date:02/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/02/stories/2007080257520300.htm
Other States - Orissa Adhering to a saintly advice
Correspondent
KORAPUT: Villagers of Buchiaguda in the remote area of Nowrangpur district are not only vegetarian but also non-alcoholics, thanks to the advice given by a saint.
Belonging to a community called Pengu Paraja, the villagers are traditionally dependent on hunting and consuming animal food.
But, a saint named Kharia Deb Bhotra, who had stayed there some 50 years ago, advised them to stay away from liquor and consume only vegetables.
“Not only did he preach so but also put it into practice, which has a lasting impression on the villagers,” says Bhagavan Jani, a villager in his 60s.
Since then, no one in the community residing in the village has ever crossed the line. Kitchen garden
Every household has a kitchen garden where vegetable are grown. Cows too are reared, says Ganapati Jani, a villager who owns two cows. “There are instances of persons consuming liquor outside the village. But, they are required to pay a fine of Rs. 21 and take an oath not to repeat the act,” he adds.
Relatives visiting the village are also greeted with a glass of milk or tea rather than the traditional home-made liquor, says another villagers Dambu Jani.
Their adherence to the saintly advice has a positive impact on them. Besides maintaining good health, there have been no instances of quarrels needing police intervention. The situation in the neighbouring villages presents a contrasting picture.
Not just that, all the villagers regularly say prayers in the evening, creating a holy ambience to the the new generation, says Uddhav Jani, an elderly man in the village.
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