What if spending more time in bed could actually add lakhs to your bank account? While most people struggle to get enough sleep amid hectic work schedules and daily responsibilities, a Mumbai woman has found an unusual way to turn sleeping into a rewarding opportunity. Jiniya Chatterjee has walked away with Rs 9.6 lakh and a sponsored holiday after winning a 60-day sleeping competition organised by Wakefit.
When Sleeping Becomes A Money-Making Opportunity
The competition was part of the fifth season of Wakefit’s Sleep Internship. Unlike conventional internships that demand long working hours and professional skills, this one revolved around maintaining a consistent sleep routine.
Out of more than two lakh applications, just 10 candidates were selected for the two-month programme. Their task was to improve their sleeping habits, monitor their sleep performance and collect points through different activities.
But there was a catch. Sleeping alone was not enough to secure the winning position. Participants also had to complete entertaining weekly assignments that tested their creativity and presence of mind.
Pillow, Blanket And Some Unusual Assignments
The organisers introduced several unconventional activities to keep the competition interesting. Contestants had to recreate movie scenes with a sleep-related twist in Sleep Cinema. Another activity, Sleep Bingo, encouraged them to evaluate their sleeping patterns over seven days.
The Undercover Sleep Mission was particularly interesting. Participants had to slip the words “blanket” or “pillow” into a conversation 10 times without letting the other person notice.
The best performer in every weekly round earned the title of Pro Sleeper of the Week.
Four Contestants Make It To The Final Showdown
As the competition progressed, Ratnagiri Manikandan, Jiniya Chatterjee and Mehek Khot emerged as the leading contestants. Hyderabad’s Karim Khan also secured a place in the finale through a wildcard entry after winning the highest number of weekly creative challenges.
The four finalists then faced the ultimate test at an event called Big Bedd. The grand finale was organised along the lines of a reality television show, with multiple rounds before the final sleep assessment.
One round required contestants to reproduce bedroom arrangements after viewing reference photographs. Another involved bidding for sleeping essentials, including pillows, blankets, lighting arrangements, air-conditioning controls and sound settings. The Sleep Auction also featured a rap lullaby performed by host and influencer Anuj Gupta.
Rs 9.6 Lakh And A Holiday For The Winning Sleeper
After completing the final assignments, the contestants settled down for one last night of sleep. Their performance and sleep scores from this session helped determine the eventual winner.
Jiniya Chatterjee outperformed the other finalists and claimed the top position. Along with Rs 9.6 lakh in prize money, she also received a sponsored vacation.
Wakefit launched the Sleep Internship in 2019. Across its first four seasons, the initiative received more than 10 lakh applications, while 65 interns were awarded stipends of Rs 1 lakh each.
