INDIAN FOOTWEAR SIZING SYSTEM – “BHA” PROJECT

Face2News/Chandigarh

Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40-D, Chandigarh, had the privilege of participating in the Indian National Footwear Sizing (BHA) Project, an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, being undertaken by CSIR–Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI).

CSIR-CLRI, a premier research institute working in the field of leather and leather products, has been entrusted with the development and implementation of a New Indian Footwear Sizing System, named “BHA”. The system has been developed on the basis of a nationwide foot survey of the Indian population and aims to provide better-fitting footwear, thereby promoting foot comfort and health.

As part of the implementation and evaluation phase, Mr. Rajneesh, Leather Scientist, CSIR-CLRI, along with Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Senior Leather Technologist, Jalandhar, and Mr. Raj Kumar, visited the school to conduct the foot measurement and wear-trial activities.

During the visit, the team conducted scientific foot measurements of students belonging to different age groups, ranging approximately from 4 years to 17–18 years. Around 50 boys and 50 girls from different age categories participated in the study. The measurements were carried out as part of the evaluation of the new Indian Footwear Sizing System, helping researchers assess the suitability of the proposed sizing standards for Indian children and adolescents.

The wear-trial component was also conducted with the participation of teachers. Selected footwear samples developed according to the new Indian sizing system were provided to teachers for testing. Their feedback regarding fit, comfort and suitability will be collected and considered as part of the evaluation process.The initiative is of considerable national importance as the new sizing system is expected to contribute towards the development of footwear that is better suited to the foot dimensions of the Indian population. The school was pleased to contribute to this important research and implementation initiative.

The Principal of the school, Mr. P. S. Khimta, appreciated the efforts of the CSIR-CLRI team and expressed his gratitude for involving the school in this significant national project. He also appreciated the cooperation and enthusiastic participation of the students and teachers in making the foot survey and wear-trial activities successful.