How Zero Grain Movement Is Shaping Young Learners at Oakridge
- 14 July 2025
At Oakridge Gachibowli, one of the best international schools in Hyderabad, we believe in taking action more than just saying it. It’s a crucial element of the learning journey for the students. This was profoundly evident during our Unit of Inquiry under the transdisciplinary theme “Who We Are” for grade 2.
Our young learners embarked on a journey to have a deeper understanding of healthy choices and their role in achieving a balanced lifestyle. Through this unit, they explored daily routines, nutritious food habits, and the broader components of health as we ensured that it is a fun journey for them while letting them inculcate these habits naturally.
As the inquiry deepened, students at Oakridge Gachibowli not only gained knowledge but also developed empathy, especially towards farmers and the value of food. This empathy translated into meaningful action with the launch of a heartfelt initiative: “Zero Grain on the Plate.”
The concept was simple, yet powerful: not leaving a single grain of food uneaten on the plate. This initiative not only promoted respect for the food but also taking required amount of food only that would automatically minimised waste and build a sense of responsibility in every learner. What began in the classroom soon expanded beyond school walls, families at home embraced it too, making it a ripple effect of positive change within the community.
Vidya, parent of Grade 2-C student Shruti Kiran, shared a heartwarming reflection on the early impact of classroom initiatives:
“Although the academic year has only just begun, I’ve already seen small but powerful changes in Shruti. Thanks to Kalyani Ma’am’s thoughtful introduction of the Zero Grain movement in class, Shruti, who previously struggled to finish her meals, has started taking her food habits seriously. Not only is she embracing the idea at school, but she’s also brought it home, happily following Zero Grain and even adopting a Zero Veg practice. It’s been such a meaningful shift, and we’re incredibly grateful.”
The success of “Zero Grain on the Plate” sparked another thoughtful idea among the students: “If we can save food, why not water too?”
With this, they extended their action to include water conservation, proving that small minds can hold big ideas. A daily tracker was introduced to monitor food and water usage, nurturing accountability and motivation among learners. These young changemakers are not just making responsible choices; they are shaping themselves as future guardians of the planet.
At Oakridge Gachibowli, we believe that true learning lies in transforming knowledge into action, and initiatives like these amplify the values we aim to instill, empathy, respect, and responsibility.
– Initiative and blog by Kalyani Talluri, Grade 2 HRT
