Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Oct 31, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The summer has officially ended in Europe and this was marked as clocks has just about back an hour. It has been declared that everyone should reset their cell phones, watched, alarms and gadgets, back by one hour, as the British Summer Time is about to end. Like every year, this year also, the British Summer Time started on the last Sunday of March and has ended on the last Sunday of November.

The British clock will now move from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time. The main reason for this shift before the winter may be attributed to the reduction of road accidents and seasonal depressions. This may also be attributed to the concept of daylight saving time. The concept has witnessed several merits ever since it was permanently enforced in 70 countries in 1975. It facilitated energy conservation all through out the year as the people could schedule their daily activities and tasks during the day, under the natural light. Statistics say that it was due to this concept that the road accidents were reduced by 80 percent and injuries were curtailed by 212 per year. However, this concept has also been facing several criticism as the natural routine and biological rhythms were hampered, which resulted to many physical problems including loss of appetite and mood swings. However, despite all the contradictions and debate, this concept has been a part of several European and American nations for more than thirty years, and has contributed in the reduction of several winter hazards.

Europe will continue to follow the Greenwich Mean Time till March 27, 2011. Until then, the Europeans will be able to enjoy one extra hour of sleep during the chilling winter. The United States will get back to their Standard Time from November 7, just one week later.