WHY INDIA SHOULD

MANAGE TIME BETTER

WHAT IS A TIME ZONE?
Time zone, a zone on the terrestrial globe that is approximately 15°
longitude wide and extends from pole to pole and within which a
uniform clock time is used.
Standard time zones were officially established by the International Meridian
Conference in 1884, which divided the world into 24 time zones based on
the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and the International Date Line (180°
longitude)
AUSTRALIA IS
APPROXIMATELY 3900KM
WIDE AND HAS 3 TIME ZONES.
USA IS APPROXIMATELY 4500KM WIDE AND HAS 5 PROMINENT TIME
ZONES.
FRANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 950KM WIDE
BUT HAS 12 TIME ZONES.
NOW WHAT ABOUT INDIA??
INDIA IS APPROXIMATELY
3000KM WIDE BUT HAS ONLY
1 TIME ZONES.
SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM.
The average sunrise and sunset time
in Gujarat is 6:00 AM and 7:00PM
respectively.
The average sunrise and sunset time
in Arunachal Pradesh is 5:00AM and
6:00 PM respectively.
AND THIS RESULTS IN
Reduced Daylight Leisure Time: Due to uniform office hours (9 AM to 5 PM) across India,
residents of the Northeast and Eastern regions experience less leisure time in daylight. This
misalignment with the solar day means these populations enjoy fewer daylight hours post-
work, which could be better utilized for personal activities and relaxation.
Impact on Outdoor Activities in Schools: Similarly, schools in the Northeast, following
standard timings (8 AM to 3 PM), find their schedules for outdoor sports and activities
constrained by limited daylight. This can hinder the development of sports and general
physical activity among students, potentially affecting their health and athletic skills.
Increased Electricity Consumption and Costs: The late daylight hours in the Eastern
regions lead to increased use of artificial lighting in offices and homes, escalating electricity
consumption and utility bills. This not only has economic implications but also environmental
ones, contributing to higher carbon emissions.
Health Implications Due to Disturbed Circadian Rhythms: The mismatch between natural
light exposure and social schedules can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to various physical
and mental health issues. This includes sleep disorders, reduced productivity, and increased
stress, further emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of time zoning in India.
Economic Impact: It is estimated that the financial loss attributed to the single time zone
policy amounts to approximately ₹30,000 crores annually. This significant economic impact is
a result of reduced productivity and increased operational costs across various sectors,
SOME POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
Adopt Multiple Time Zones: Introducing at least one additional time zone for the Eastern
and Northeastern regions of India could align work hours more closely with daylight hours.
This would optimize natural light usage, reduce electricity consumption, and potentially
increase productivity and health by syncing human activities more closely with the natural
light-dark cycle.
Flexibility in Work and School Schedules: Implementing flexible work and school hours
that vary by region can allow activities to be scheduled during daylight hours, improving
energy efficiency and providing more time for outdoor activities. This approach allows
regions to adjust their schedules based on their specific daylight hours without a complete
overhaul of the time zone structure.
Implementing Daylight Saving time: Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice used in
some countries to make better use of daylight during the warmer months by setting the
clocks forward one hour in the spring and setting them back in the fall. This shift effectively
moves an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, offering more daylight hours
after typical work or school hours