Forget US/EU/UK, India devices its shoe sizing system called 'Bha'
India, a global leader in shoe manufacturing and consumption, is set to revolutionize its footwear industry with the proposed "Bha" shoe sizing system. Named after "Bharat," the initiative was inspired by a comprehensive nationwide survey conducted from December 2021 to March 2022. The study used advanced 3D foot scanning technology to analyze the size, shape, and structure of over one lakh Indian feet across five geographical zones and 79 diverse locations!
Indians generally have wider feet; reach maximum foot size early
Contrary to initial assumptions that India's ethnic diversity would necessitate multiple shoe sizing systems, the survey revealed a single unified system could suffice. Interestingly, it was discovered that an average Indian woman's foot size reaches its maximum at around 11 years of age, while for men, this happens at about 15 or 16 years. The study also found that Indians generally have wider feet compared to Europeans or Americans.
The Bha system aims to rectify the issue
The survey highlighted a prevalent issue of Indians wearing larger shoes due to the limited width offered by UK/European/US sizing systems. This mismatch has resulted in discomfort and potential injuries from ill-fitting shoes, especially in high-heeled women's footwear. The proposed Bha system aims to rectify these issues with eight distinct sizes catering to different age groups and genders, promising a perfect fit for nearly 85% of India's population.
CSIR-CLRI has presented its recommendations to DPIIT
The Chennai-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), which conducted the survey, has presented its recommendations to the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The DPIIT has forwarded these recommendations to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for approval. If approved, it is anticipated that the Bha system could be implemented by 2025, marking a significant step towards improved footwear comfort in India.
Bha emerges as a harbinger of change
According to industry experts, Bha is a sign of a new age of personalized comfort and inclusion. In addition to this, it aligns with the idea of Make in India and nurturing an indigenous innovation legacy as the footwear industry's contours transform. However, in a moving illustration of the progressive mindset, stakeholders support an iterative process, calling for long trials and user input to optimize Bha's effectiveness.
