It is true that most vegetarians find it difficult to live in the immediate vicinity of non-vegetarians. I am aware of this, as I am a pure vegetarian.

But after my marriage I had to adapt to the non-vegetarian food habits of my family.

At first it was challenging to live with the smell of fish and meat but eventually I became used to it.

But the big hue and cry made by the Shiv Sena on this matter is absolutely uncalled for.

Being a Maharashtrian as well as a non-vegetarian, I feel there is absolutely no harm in segregating people into categories according to their food habits.

Vegetarians especially will appreciate this. A house is supposed to be a place where one can get peace of mind. But if someone next door is cooking something that you don't like or which smells awful, how can you live peacefully?

In my building, we are the only non-vegetarian family. Despite being vegetarians, our neighbours have never complained about the food we cook.

Anyway, there is no action that can be taken in such a situation. Hence the only option which remains is to reside in an all vegetarian society and I am sure most of the vegetarians will opt this alternative if given a chance.

The downside of this is that societies can follow this practice only in areas where the percentage of vegetarians is high. Bandra is a potpourri of people with varying food habits and preferences.

For example there are people who just consume eggs and not meat. So here you can't categorise them by their food habits.

Vandana Amrish Jayakar is a housewife and a resident of Anand Vihar Society, 21st Road. She spoke to Mohsina Ahmed.