What is Daylight saving? Why was it started? Can this be implemented in India?

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Is changing the time a real thing? The obsession with daylight saving is a never-ending mysterious trope for humans. Although, no matter how hard we try, the concept of changing or rewinding the time seems a bit too off-limits. Due to the creativity of wise minds, making your day feel a little longer is possible, and the method for doing so is called Daylight Saving. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a method in which the clocks are set forward one hour from the standard time during summer and back to the standard time in the fall.

How do mobile phones detect daylight time changes?

A life without technology seems hard to imagine. In the past, the clocks were shifted manually. But luckily, in today’s time, your smartphones do it for you. But how does it actually work? During Daylight Saving, Most smartphones with updated software automatically adjust the clock back hourly at 2 am. unless you tiptoed around the phone setting and switched around the automatic network time, your phone will update on its own. If the phone has been switched off during the change of time, the phone automatically follows the Daylight Saving once turned on. If you’re a double-check kind of person, you can also check your Daylight Saving time setting on a pixel or stock android by following these quick steps:

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  • Open the settings app on your phone
  • Tap on the system option
  • Go on a date and time
  • Tap to toggle on the Use network time settings
  • Finally, tap on the Use network-provided time zone setting.

daylight saving clocks with different time

Why was it started?

Initially, the idea of Daylight Saving was proposed by George Hudson to give people more time in daylight in summer and also to increase his insect collection. Unfortunately, his idea of Daylight Savings was looked down upon. But in early 1900, the practice of Daylight Savings was introduced in the town of Thunder Bay, Canada. On 30th April 1916, Germany became the very first country in the world which used DST on a national level. The Germans started Daylight Savings only to conserve energy as it would keep people out during the day for a longer time. 

With time many countries started adopting the Daylight Saving practice, like the US, Canada, South America, Southern Africa, and European countries. In the southern hemisphere (south of the equator), the DST period starts in September-November and ends in March-April. While in the northern hemisphere (north of the equator), it starts in March-April and ends in September-November. At one point, more than 140 countries applied Daylight Saving methods. However, with rising conflicts, fewer than 40 percent of countries currently use Daylight Saving.

Benefits of Daylight Saving

Daylight savings can help save lives. Putting in an extra hour of sunlight during the day decreases the risk of fatality during rush hour in the evening. Darkness, a long-known advantage of crime, can also be reduced by following the Daylight Saving time method. DST also provides a boost to commerce hence also adding an economic benefit to its side. Activities like shopping are more likely to be done in the evenings than in darkness or early mornings.

The main reason for this practice is still energy saving. In the evening, more energy is consumed as most people are awake. Still, a considerable amount of people are asleep in the early morning leading to the wastage of energy. By adding extra rays of sunshine to the day’s electricity, heating system, and many other forms, energy is saved, and people get to spend more time relaxing and increasing their productivity.

 

Can this be implemented in India?

Daylight Savings usually is preferred by countries away from the equator to enjoy the summer daylight for a bit longer. But thanks to the geographical location of India, both a Twilight and subtropical country, there is not much Twilight. The seasonal variation in the length of day and night in most parts of the country is minimal. The social and economic thinking cost of a new Indian standard time will have a worldwide effect. Traveling modes, electronics, and institutions affiliated with the east will have to change their accommodations.

Managing Europe and The US countries will be complex, creating more problems. India, as a country, has prevailing illiteracy, bringing a complex topic like daylight saving time, which will not only create havoc in the people’s daily lives but also will not be appreciated. So, regardless of its benefits, adopting Daylight Saving time in India will cause more harm than good. The concept of daylight saving is best served for the countries away from the equator.

Reference:

https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/