PETA, INIFD launches awareness drive through fashion show

Prashant Acharya, EOI, Siliguri 31 Aug 2015: The India chapter of the international animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, on Sunday launched an awareness drive in Siliguri in partnership with the Inter-National Institute of Fashion Designing. It was the first awareness drive by PETA India in West Bengal using the medium of a show named ‘ExtraVEGANza’, the INIFD's 18th Annual Graduation Fashion/Interior occasion. Benazir Suraiya, PETA India's associate manager for celebrity and media projects, said, "We are planning to organise a silent and peaceful movement against cruelty towards animals not only in north Bengal but in the entire North East. I am glad to be in Siliguri to raise awareness among people about the inhuman treatment of animals and also to urge them to go vegan."

Last October, Suraiya was in the news all over after a mobbed attacked her in Bhopal for calling on Muslims to go vegan on Eid.

She said since fashion lovers, models and designers are mostly associated with clothing, they should be aware of the torture meted out on animals for their hair, fur and leather, which are used to produce apparel. "We are also planning to launch peaceful movements across north Bengal to protest the manner in which livestock are crammed into trucks and transported long distances for being slaughtered, said Suraiya. INIFD Siliguri centre head Kuntanil Das said, "Fashion is all about evolution and innovation. That’s why eminent designers work only with sophisticated vegan materials instead of fur, leather and silk. So to promote elegant, ethical fashion, INIFD Siliguri is teaming up with PETA." Inspired by PETA, Siliguri’s own professional fashion designer, Suvagata Das, showcased her cruelty-free creation in the show where professional models from Kolkata walked the ramp wearing attractive attires designed without using any animal products. "I have designed in such a way that people can have a look that kills without needing to kill animals", she said.