Simplifying Sahyadri: New Tuck Policy

Over time, we noticed that the amount of personal packaged food, or “tuck,” being brought into school was increasing significantly. What started as occasional snacking slowly turned into something more complicated — tuck became a kind of “social currency,” especially among junior and middle-school students. This created subtle divisions and pressures within peer groups.

We, as a community, also had to acknowledge that we weren’t fully aware of how this was affecting our students. It made us reflect on whether we’ve created an environment where students feel comfortable opening up about these things. The goal of this newsletter is to give space for these voices to be heard and to highlight the concerns that often go unnoticed.

In our previous issue, we explored themes around how culture can be misunderstood or misrepresented. These efforts are part of our ongoing attempt to bring the community together and address issues that often stay under the surface.

Recently, during a two-hour Student Council meeting, we had an open and honest discussion about cravings, especially among adolescents. We talked about how hormonal changes — including those related to girls’ menstrual cycles — and the stress of exam time can increase the need to snack. These are real needs, and ignoring them doesn’t help anyone.

After much discussion, we worked together to come up with a solution that would:

• Satisfy genuine cravings,
• Prevent tuck from becoming a source of social division, and
• Stay true to Sahyadri’s values and vision.

TUCK SHOP

• The frequency of getting tuck has been increased to once a week, the budget being 75 rupees for grades 4-8, and 100 rupees for grades 9-12, per week.
• There has been an introduction of new items like Oreo and Bourbon. These items will change every two weeks, or sometimes even a month. The reason for fixing a hamper was to ease the burden on the accountants.
• Students can choose to buy tuck as well as fruit. The frequency of fruit is also once a week, as fruits are being provided for juice break in addition to the juice break snack.
• Students from grades 4-8 may inform their matrons if they want to opt out of either fruit or tuck, or both at least one week prior to the next stock coming in. Students from grades 9-12 may inform either their matrons or dorm representatives as assigned by the student council in the recent past.
• We are open to any suggestions regarding eatables to be introduced in the tuck shop.

TIWAI TAWA

• The frequency of Favourites like potato and banana chips has been increased.
• More ‘masaledaar’ items have been added.
• We are working on the introduction of items, and are open to suggestions from you all.
• Approach any 11th grader with any doubts regarding this system.