“A healthy choice today can become a healthy habit for life.” - Anonymous
National Sports Day is a celebration of movement, discipline, fitness and the enduring spirit of sport. At SAI International Residential School (SIRS), this year’s observance took that spirit a step further by encouraging students to look beyond the playground and recognise the important role that everyday food choices play in overall well-being. From August 29 to September 4, 2026, SIRS is observing No-Sugar and Less-Oil Week, a meaningful initiative designed to promote healthier dietary choices, create greater awareness about nutrition and encourage mindful eating habits among students.
Fitness Beyond the Playground
Sports and physical activity are essential components of a healthy lifestyle, but true well-being also depends on what we consume every day. The No-Sugar and Less-Oil Week initiative brings this understanding into the daily lives of students by connecting nutrition with fitness. As part of the initiative, processed and refined sugar was avoided and the use of oil was reduced in the Kitchen, transforming a simple idea into a practical commitment towards healthier food practices and student well-being. The objective is not simply to remove an ingredient or alter a menu for one week. It is to encourage students to become more conscious of their choices, understand the importance of nutrition and gradually develop habits that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
From Awareness to Habit
The first day of the initiative marked more than the beginning of a week-long programme. It represented a conscious choice to make healthier living part of everyday life. The journey from awareness to habit begins with small decisions. By encouraging students to think about what they consume and make more mindful choices, SIRS hopes to nurture a culture where healthy living becomes a natural part of student life.
Awareness → Choice → Discipline → Habit
This simple progression captures the larger purpose of the initiative.
Inspired by the Spirit of Major Dhyan Chand Ji
The initiative holds special significance as it coincides with National Sports Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand Ji. His life continues to inspire generations through the values of discipline, dedication, determination and excellence. At SIRS, these values extend beyond sporting arenas and into everyday choices. The No-Sugar and Less-Oil Week is therefore a humble tribute to that spirit, reminding students that discipline is not limited to the field. It can also be reflected in how we nourish ourselves, care for our well-being and make responsible choices.
A Collective Commitment
A healthier school environment is built through collective participation. Students play an important role by making mindful choices, while the SIRS Kitchen Team contributes by implementing healthier food practices. The wider school community, too, plays its part by supporting the initiative. Together, these efforts reinforce the idea that health and fitness are shared responsibilities and important elements of holistic development.
Beyond Seven Days
While No-Sugar and Less-Oil Week is observed for seven days, its message is intended to last much longer. The real success of the initiative will lie in encouraging students to carry its lessons into their everyday lives: to choose wisely, eat mindfully, stay active and develop a conscious approach towards their health and well-being. At SAI International Residential School, the initiative reflects a larger vision of education, one that recognises that nurturing young minds also means nurturing healthy habits and responsible choices.
From celebration to commitment, SIRS is taking a meaningful step towards creating a culture of health, discipline and mindful living.
Because sometimes, a small change in what we choose today can shape a healthier tomorrow.
