Unique Challenge in Punjab: 31-Hour “Phone-Free Sitting” Test Sees Only 3 Out of 55 Participants Succeed

A small village in Punjab witnessed a unique competition testing phone addiction. The contest, called “Whele Ban Da Muqabla” (The Empty Sitting Challenge), required participants to sit stationary for 31 hours without using their phones. While reading books was allowed, participants could not sleep, lie down, or use the washroom during the challenge.

Out of 55 contestants, only three participants—Satbir Singh and Lampreet Singh—managed to last the full 31 hours and 4 minutes, emerging as joint winners. Many participants practiced Gurbani recitation to keep their minds calm during the ordeal.

Organizers highlighted that the challenge was more than entertainment. It aimed to make people aware of their dependence on smartphones and help them reconnect with patience, mental peace, and self-control. Similar events have previously been conducted in Barnala, and the hope is that such initiatives will continue across the state to encourage healthier tech habits.