Bangladesh Standard Time: A Temporal Compass
Navigating the precise temporal framework of Bangladesh, from its historical roots to its modern standardization.
Understanding BST ๐ Explore History ๐Bangladesh Standard Time
Official Designation
Bangladesh Standard Time (BST) serves as the official time zone for Bangladesh. It is uniformly observed across the entire nation, ensuring a consistent temporal reference point for all activities.
UTC Offset
BST operates precisely six hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Its designation is formally represented as UTC+06:00.
Geographical Alignment
The standard time is geographically aligned with the meridian of 90.00ยฐ East longitude. This specific meridian traverses through the Harukandi Union in the Harirampur Upazila of Manikganj District, within the Dhaka Division.
In the IANA time zone database, BST is identified by the identifier Asia/Dhaka.
Historical Evolution of Timekeeping
Pre-Independence Era
Prior to the establishment of Bangladesh Standard Time, the region experienced several temporal shifts. From 1890 to 1941, Bengal adhered to Calcutta Time (UTC+5:53:20). During the 1940s, influenced by World War II and administrative changes within British India, the region observed a series of time zone adjustments, including periods at UTC+06:30 and UTC+05:30.
Standardization Post-Partition
Following the partition of India in 1947, the eastern part of the region, which would become Bangladesh, introduced "Dacca Time" (DACT) on September 15, 1951. This new standard was set at UTC+06:00, achieved by subtracting 30 minutes from the prevailing UTC+06:30, establishing the official time zone that persists today.
The Daylight Saving Time Experiment
Rationale for DST
In 2009, Bangladesh implemented Daylight Saving Time (DST) as a strategic measure to mitigate an acute electricity crisis. The nation faced a significant deficit between power demand (4,800โ5,800 MW) and generation capacity (3,800โ4,000 MW). Advancing the clock by one hour, effectively shifting to UTC+07:00, was intended to reduce peak load and conserve energy during evening hours.
Implementation and Outcomes
The DST scheme commenced at midnight on June 19, 2009. However, its intended benefits were largely unrealized. Public adherence was inconsistent, businesses did not fully comply, and the anticipated reduction in load shedding did not materialize. Increased energy consumption due to hotter weather and individual usage patterns offset any potential savings.
Reversal and Cancellation
Facing widespread public dissatisfaction and the failure to achieve energy conservation goals, the government reverted to the standard UTC+06:00 time on December 31, 2009. Subsequently, on March 22, 2010, the cabinet officially and permanently cancelled the DST initiative, citing public interest as the primary reason for maintaining the established standard time.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Bangladesh Standard Time" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- "Bangladesh Starts Daylight Saving Time on June 19, 2009". Timeanddate.com. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- "Time Changes in Dhaka over the years 1925รขยย1949". Timeanddate.com. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- "Time Changes in Dhaka over the years 1950รขยย1959". Timeanddate.com. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- "Daylight saving time likely from June". The Daily Star. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- M.A. Qader (6 May 2009). "Bangladesh to introduce daylight saving time likely from June 16". Asian Tribune. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- "Clocks go ahead from midnight June 19". bdnews24.com. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- "Clock goes 1hr ahead June 19 midnight". The Daily Star. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- "Clock goes 1-hr ahead tonight". The Daily Star. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- Melik, James (19 June 2009). "Bangladesh adopts new time rules". BBC World Service. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- Wasim Bin Habib (27 June 2009). "DST hardly improves power situation". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- "Clock goes back 1-hr on Dec 31 night". bdnews24.com. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- Sharier Khan (23 March 2010). "Why DST failed?". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- "Cabinet shelves DST plan". bdnews24.com. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice for Higher Education
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence system, drawing exclusively from the provided source material derived from Wikipedia. It is intended solely for academic and informational purposes, designed to facilitate understanding for Master's level students.
Accuracy and Completeness: While efforts have been made to refine and present the information comprehensively, this content is based on a specific snapshot of data and may not encompass all nuances or the absolute latest developments. Users are encouraged to consult primary sources for critical applications.
Not Professional Advice: The information herein does not constitute professional advice regarding time zone management, international scheduling, or any related technical or regulatory matters. For critical operational decisions, always refer to official governmental and international standards bodies, and consult with qualified experts.
The creators of this AI-generated content and the platform hosting it are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this information.