Now, walk with confidence as India is set to introduce new shoe sizing system ‘Bha’.
Have you felt discomfort while wearing specific shoe in your younger age? Let me tell you, this not your fault. It was due to existing foot sizing system in India. For decades, Indians have enforced to wear shoes sized as per US or European standards. Sometimes, this led to discomfort, blisters, or even foot deformities. The time has come to change the tradition. Now, Indians are going have a new shoe sizing system.
In this article, we will discuss about this new shoe sizing system ‘Bha’.
Named as ‘Bha’ (भ), representing Bharat (India), the proposed system is set to replace the existing European and American sizing system.
This is a result of a survey conducted during December 2021 to March 2022, involving 3D foot scanning of more than 1,00,000 Indians from 79 locations. The outcome was an eye-opener. It helped researchers to understand about foot size and dimensions of Indians.
As per survey report, Indian feet are wider than European or American people. However, Indians are forced to wear UK/US structure leading to discomfort and injury. The survey revealed, the age of attaining highest point of foot for Indian male and female are 15 and 11 respectively. Moreover, wider legs lead to discomfort for kids and teenagers. Meanwhile, foot discomfort is the leading cause of hammertoes, bunions, and ingrown toenails. Elderly people with diabetes are the worst sufferers, as per survey.
‘Bha’ is proposing a streamlined approach with eight sizes for Indians. This will serve different age groups to ensure a comfortable fit for more than 85% of the Indians.
This is designed in such a way that simplify the overall manufacturing processes. “Additionally, the proposed sizes will offer enhanced comfort, with wider dimensions and an additional 5mm foot length allowance,” as per recent reports.
BHA proposes eight different footwear sizes: I for infants between 0 to 1 year, II for kids of 1 to 3 years, III for small children of 4 to 6 years, IV for children of 7 to 11 years, V for girls of 12 to 13 years, VI for boys of 12 to 14 years, VII – for women over 14 years, and VIII for men over 15 years.
This wouldn't be possible without the effort of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR–CLRI). The researchers from this institute conducted the survey and submitted the report and recommendations to the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Further, they forwarded the recommendation for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approval.
Planned for implementation in 2025, these footwears will undergo rigorous trial and user feedback sessions.
‘Bha’ promises to bring a transformative change in the Indian footwear industry. It will provide more comfort and reduce foot-related issues.
For children, comfortable shoe is a must as their feet tend to grow. Moreover, ‘Bha’ system will create wider sandals and accommodating work boots for superior comfort. This streamlined system is believed to reduce cost of production, which is a major relief for manufacturers.
This indigenous shoe sizing system will surely be a revolutionary move for better lifestyle.
