A day without the Idiot Box

Have you wondered what will happen if you wake up one day and realize that there is no TV.  Withdrawal symptoms, I guess. It’s so difficult to think of a day without TV. It has become a part of our life and we think we cannot live without it. For some,it’s an addiction. They cannot sleep without watching TV.

We have fallen prey to this digitalized world. Can we even imagine staying away from the addictive IdiotBox.TV is treated so much like a friend of the family, but more often, it’s like a monster in one’s house.

You can access TV for periodic entertainment and to stay updated with the latest happenings around the globe, but don’t let it use you as its regular cookie. That’s what a unique campaign initiated by news daily  Hindustan Times called “No TV Day”, on January 28, 2012 seems to convey to the time-crunched Mumbaikars.

The concept of No TV Day is interesting because thinking about a day without TV and hanging around with friends makes us curious about how we will manage to spend the 24 hours.

Seemingly, there is little to be gained from switching off television sets. In fact, in doing so, you might miss an hour of a serial with high melodrama and captivating swirl of images. But, how many of us realize that we just do not stop watching TV once our favorite program is done for the day?

It emphasizes how people have very little time to spend with their families and friends after almost an entire day at office – be it in the form of outing, playing with  kids, chatting with your loved ones, including parents, going for an after-dinner stroll or even socializing (not through Twitter or Facebook, but in person) with your friends.

Moreover, it’s the same sorry tale even on Sundays and public holidays. So, where is the time to explore exquisite locations in Mumbai? When will you make an outing or go for a long drive to check the never-ending geography of the city – which is, in fact, only a small dot on the huge map of India?

Reasons why one must not watch TV

1.       Watching TV Wastes Time

2.       TV Slows Down Your Brain Activity

3.       Most TV Content Today Is Consciousness-Lowering

4.       Lack of Quality Shows

5.       TV is Linked With Lower Life Satisfaction

6.       Pointless Advertisements / Over commercialization

7.       TV Sensationalizes

You would be amazed at the time you will find to do things which you always wanted to do. I am not recommending this to everyone.

Here are more rewarding and fulfilling activities to replace TV:

• Exercising  – Jogging, swimming, playing sports, cycling, aerobics
• Catching up with friends
• Reading a book
• Journaling, Writing, Blogging
• Strolling / Hiking
• Hanging out with friends
• Talking with your parents
• Listen to the radio
• Play with your pet
• Organizing your room
• Meditating
• Plan a picnic or barbeque
• Surprise your family with your cooking
• Gardening
• Go to museum

And the list goes on….

Various activities was organized by Hindustan Times on NO TV DAY on January 2, 2012

·         City Treasure Hunt

·         Best Society Contest

·         Helicopter rides

·         Natures cape – Bombay Natural History Society

·         Nature Trails

·         Running & Living

·         Heritage Bus Rides

·         Cycling Trips

·         Hash Harriers

·         Yoga Workshops

·         Writing Workshops for Kids

·         Craft  Carnival & free tour of the museum

·         Shows in Nehru Planetarium

·         Boat Rides by Indian Navy

With so many activities who wants to switch on the TV. We had decided to go for the Heritage Bus Rides. It was fun…

                                                        Open Air Bus organized by HT for Heritage rides

                                                                                             Heritage Building

                                                                           Hindustan Times Team

                                                                                               Jehangir Art Gallery

                                                                                    The famous Regal Theatre

                                                                               Statue of Lal Bhadur Shastri

                                                                                                   Mantralya

                                                                                                      Marine Drive

                                                                        The New Churchgate Station

                                                                                              Eros Theatre

                                                                                           Victoria Terminus

Images : Personal Album