India, July 1 -- A line from Victor Hugo's The Future of Man is often paraphrased as "Nobody can stop an idea whose time has come." India has now reached a level of economic, educational, technological, and logistical maturity to embrace the idea of having two time zones. Two recent events provide impetus to this proposition. At the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, " ... EAST is not just a direction but a vision - Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform - which refines the policy framework for the region". The NITI Aayog, at a meeting to discuss Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @2047, underscored the need for the states to "leverage their unique geographic and demographic advantages while focusing on...