McCartney lobbies for vegetarian day

NEW DELHI - Outspoken vegetarian Paul McCartney is urging India to declare a national Vegetarian Day to celebrate meat-free living and compassion toward animals.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says McCartney sent a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying such a day could save animals while helping to protect both the environment and people's health.

The U.N. food agency in 2003 estimated 42 percent of India's 1.2 billion people are vegetarian.