Chandigarh, March 31:- In a significant step towards promoting mental well-being and strengthening family bonds, Chandigarh Mayor Sh. Saurabh Joshi has launched a city-wide initiative titled “Sunday: Unplug to Reconnect”, urging residents to take a conscious break from mobile phones and rediscover the joy of real-life connections.

Raising concern over the growing impact of digital addiction, the Mayor termed excessive screen usage an “invisible epidemic” and cited findings from the Economic Survey 2025–26, which indicate that nearly 15% of youth are affected by moderate to severe technology addiction, along with a sharp rise in depression among young people.

He emphasized that while Chandigarh is known as a smart city, its true strength lies in emotional connections, adding, “We are becoming digitally connected but emotionally distant. It’s time to stop scrolling and start living.”

As part of the initiative, the Mayor has proposed a voluntary four-hour digital break every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, encouraging families to keep their phones aside and spend quality time together.

Citizens are being motivated to step outdoors and reconnect with nature by visiting the city’s prominent green spaces such as the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Japanese Garden Chandigarh, Bougainvillea Garden Chandigarh, and Terrace Garden Chandigarh.

The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has also ensured that parks and green belts are well-maintained to support this people-centric movement.

Highlighting the benefits of reduced screen time, the Mayor noted that even a short digital detox can improve sleep quality, enhance focus, and promote emotional well-being. Calling upon citizens to actively participate, he said that true happiness lies in real conversations and togetherness, not in notifications, and urged everyone to make this initiative a success