Punjab Village Fights Smartphone Addiction with Innovative 'No-Phone Sit-Still' Marathon Challenge

Organisers emphasized that the event was designed to convey a public message about smartphone addiction rather than merely serve as a local competition.

Chandigarh:

A modest village in Punjab has introduced an incredibly straightforward yet physically demanding competition to address smartphone addiction: a sitting marathon where contestants must refrain from using their phones, staying awake, and remaining seated without exception (even for bathroom breaks).

This distinctive event, coordinated by residents of Gholia Khurd village in Punjab, has rapidly gained traction across various social media platforms.

The marathon operated under strict guidelines:

Electronic Devices Prohibited: Participants were required to completely abstain from all mobile phones and other devices.

No Sleeping Allowed: Maintaining wakefulness was essential throughout the entire challenge.

Must Remain Seated: Contestants had to stay in their assigned positions without standing up for any reason, including restroom visits.

Provisions Supplied: The organizing team provided food and water, which participants had to consume while maintaining their seated position.

The endurance test, which would conclude only when a single participant remained, offered rewards for the top three finishers:

Champion Prize: A new bicycle plus Rs 4,500 in cash.

Runner-up: Rs 2,500 cash prize.

Third Position: Rs 1,500 cash award.

The challenge attracted 55 diverse participants, including children, young adults, women, and elderly individuals. Interestingly, many competitors traveled considerable distances from other districts after discovering the event through social media announcements.

Event coordinators clarified that their primary objective extended beyond hosting a simple contest.

"We aim to demonstrate that life becomes more peaceful and less stressful when people disconnect from their mobile phones," explained one organizer. "When you set aside your device, you suddenly discover time for family interactions, personal reflection, and meaningful conversations," they further noted.