Indian Village's Mandatory Screen-Free Hours Produce Scholarship Winners

• Agran Dhulgaon, Maharashtra, implemented a compulsory four-hour daily 'digital detox' for students.
• The initiative, signaled by a public address system, aims to reduce reliance on phones and TVs for academic focus.
• Initial family opposition was overcome as students' academic performance, including 53 national scholarships, improved.
• Neighboring Vadgaon adopted a similar strategy, with a nightly siren for all residents to switch off devices.
• Experts like Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma from NIMHANS highlight the mental health risks and problematic internet use linked to excessive screen time.

Why It Matters: Mandatory screen-free study hours in Indian villages are significantly boosting student academic success and well-being.