IIT-Guwahati students are demanding separate Northeast time zone: Here's why
What's the story
Students of IIT-Guwahati are set to launch a campaign demanding a separate time zone for the Northeast in a bid to improve utilization of resources. India, spread across 3,000km from Gujarat in the west to Nagaland in the east, follows a singular time zone as it stands. However, studies have shown that separate time zones can improve productivity. Here are the details.
Historical
A unified time zone was brought in after Independence
In the year 1884, India had separate time zones. However, after Independence in 1947 the government decided to enforce one time zone across the country to promote unity and patriotism.
Studies
Studies back claims that separate time zones improve productivity
Proposals for having multiple time zones in geographically large areas have received academic backing over the years. Indeed, studies have shown that merely advancing the time can enhance efficiency of several industrial and non-industrial activities, and can save billions of units of electricity. Given these studies, IIT-Guwahati students believe having a separate time zone can augment productivity in the Northeast.
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How a unified time zone affects people in the Northeast
"During winter months, the sun sets in the Northeast as early as 4pm. Every day, a common person is losing approximately one hour of daylight. On an average, two years of his life gets wasted, besides facing the risk of various health issues pertaining to it," Vinit Yadav, a B.Tech student, told TOI.
TEDx
The students now want to build consensus
Convinced of the need for a separate time zone, IIT-Guwahati students will now attempt to build public support for their cause through a TEDx event to be organized on February 10. For the same, they have roped in renowned author Arup Kumar Dutta, who has long campaigned for separate time zones. The students believe that removing the 'unjust' singular time zone will greatly benefit the Northeast.
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Changing times require a separate time zone
"1947 was a long time ago, and demands and circumstances have changed. Today, we are a developing population with an enormous population. It's [a separate time zone] required to wisely use all the resources that are at our disposal without any wastage," says a statement from the organizers of the TEDx event.