‘Digital Fasting’ challenge by a Jain organisation

As we now live in the Internet era, our whole lifestyle revolves around digital media. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are designed to hook the users to the screen. While the world is coming to terms with excessive screen time having a negative effect on our wellbeing, a Jain organization is promoting a 50-day ‘digital fasting’ challenge among its young members.

This aims to shatter virtual bondage and strengthen bonds within families by reducing screen time and sharpening concentration without digital interruptions.

‘A mobile is a good servant, but a dangerous master’ is the tagline of the challenge.

The first step to participate in the challenge is to register online.  The contest consists of spending 12 hours a day (9 am to 9 pm) without the use of digital technologies. The participant gets 12 points for successfully observing the 12-hour digital fast.

The challenge began on July 23 and the results will be declared on September 10.

The top 10 performers will get a free trip to Shri Sammed Shikharji, a pilgrimage site in Giridih district of Jharkhand.

TOI quoted Ramesh Kumar Shah, founder of jainfoundation.in, the religious organisation that has launched the contest, “The aim is to bring forth the foundational values of Jainism and make them relevant to the current generation… Overall the competition has drawn about 2,000 registrations, including 300 from Gujarat,”