Karnataka village eyes kids' future, weans eyeballs away from screens for 2 hours

Belagavi: It's a digital detox of a different kind. Not the type that urbanites resort to occasionally, what with smartphones, computers and TVs virtually having become the be all and end all of life. 

People off all ages and genders in Halaga village on the outskirts of Belagavi have imposed upon themselves screen-free time between 7 pm and 9 pm daily, usually peak study period of their wards, so that they aren't distracted from homework and other curricular activities. 

The village is cheek by jowl the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the state's second secretariat where the winter session of the legislature takes place every year. 

Residents have collectively decided not to use any gadget in the twin evening hours. 

This ensures that students dedicate time for studies and parents too can attentively assist them in the academic pursuit.

Halaga could well become the state's first screen-free village, albeit for just two hours daily, in the state.

The decision was arrived at during a meeting on Wednesday evening at the Gram Panchayat (GP) premises and the concept was duly explained to those present. It was instantly agreed upon and enforced. 

A siren installed in front of the GP office goes off at 7 pm daily to mark the beginning of the wean-yourself-from-screen period. It sounds again at 9 pm to mark the end of the restriction.   

The inspiration for Halaga was not far to seek. It came from the success of a similar experiment in Agran Dhulgaon in Sangli district of neighbouring Maharashtra. 

There, elders are busy in household chores and chat among themselves as students focus on their books in the chosen period. 

Social activists from Halaga brought to the GP's notice the success in the Maharashtra village.

It was unanimously decided to implement the concept and instal a siren in front of the GP office near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial.

Residents in Halaga now hope that their kids' academic performance will be on the ascendant and the bond among the elders is at its best, thanks to conversations in the screen-free interval. 

Retired teacher B H Bilgoji said parents should ensure that their children are away from gadgets and concentrate on studies for at least these two hours.

Social activist Charukeerti Saibannavar, GP president Laxmi Gajapati, PDO Asha G, students and parents were present at the launch of the initiative.