Prime-time blockbuster: TVs, cellphones go blank in Karnataka village; GP spends Rs 2.5L annually to improve govt schools

BY-RavindraUppar@timesofindia.com

BELAGAVI: It’s a gentle — and rather quiet — rap on the knuckle for about 500 school students to heave themselves out of playgrounds, start looking into their satchels and study. It’s also a reminder for elders to walk across the street and greet neighbours and reconnect with lost threads of friendly conversation. For once, there’s no white noise, ear-splitting ringtones or ad jingles on the big screen from 7pm to 9pm, all days of the week.

Welcome to Halaga village, about 10km from Belagavi and home to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. At 7pm, a sharp siren cuts through the evening air and all screens — TV, laptops, tabs and mobiles — go blank. On Wednesday, Halaga with a population of 12,000 became the first village in Karnataka to adopt ‘digital detox’.

The community-driven initiative is called ‘No TV, No Mobile, Just Study and Conversation’. The primary aim is to reclaim evening hours for learning and family interaction.

The no-screen initiative was inaugurated by gram panchayat president Laxmi Gajapati, inspired by a similar experiment in Agran Dhulgaon village of Sangli district in Maharashtra, which drew national attention for its impact on students’ learning habits. The Maharashtra village launched the restricted screen time in 2022 just as effects of Covid lockdown were tapering off.

The village has two govt schools and as many private schools with a combined student population of 500. The school quartet has been posting above-average pass results.

Former gram panchayat president Ganpat Marihalkar said the intention was simple: Prioritise academics, which is increasingly getting affected by excessive screen time. Marihalkar said the gram panchayat invests Rs 2.5 lakh every year from its own funds to strengthen the two govt schools in the village.

On the choice of timing, social worker Anil Shinde said, “The 7pm to 9pm slot is prime time for TV serials and dramas. That is exactly when distractions are highest.”