Normally increase in production and thereby increase in national income is considered to be a measure of development. If we look at our politicians, bureaucrats, policy makers, economists, all seems busy in talking about growth in production and thus Gross National Product (GNP). GNP therefore becomes the measure of development. In the last two decades, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has started the exercise of publishing Human Development Report and tries to measure development in terms of human development. Whereas GNP in measured by multiply production of goods and services by respective prices, human development in measured in terms of averaging per capita income, level of education and health indicated by life expectancy. If we closely look at human development index, we find that nations, which have achieved high levels of incomes, they tend to achieve higher levels of education and health standards. These developed countries tend to rank higher even in terms of human development index.
National Happiness Index
In 1974, then king of Bhutan figure Singe Wan chuck propounded this concept of national happiness index. He believed that increase in production alone could not be the basis of happiness of humans. Thus in the measurement of development, happiness should be an integral element. Since then Bhutan started giving utmost importance to the happiness of its citizens. In the last few years, countries are being ranked in terms of happiness of people by some agencies. In the regard 'Happy Planet Index' puts USA in150th position in the list of 178 nations Singapore in 131st, France 129th, Canada 111th, UK 108th and Germany in 81st position in terms of this index. India is at 62nd position in this ranking. Surprisingly Bhutan which in ranked 131st in terms of Human Development Index as published by UNDP(2008) is at 13th position in terms of happiness index. Bhutan is the only developing country, securing a place in the top 20 nations in happiness index.
Why Rich Nations are deprived of Happiness
Whether it is physical development or human development, both perhaps are not much relevant for happiness. That is the reasons, why nations on top of the world in terms of Gross National Product or other indicators of development are lying very low on happiness index. While earning more and more we tend to forget that ideally ultimate aim of all efforts is human happiness. If we look at rich people we find world’s 85 percent of assets are concentrated in the hands of only 10 percent people. To maximise their profits these rich people and companies do not hesitate in snatching employment from the people. Cutthroat competition, envy, ill feeling etc. are common in the process of becoming rich. Inequalities also encourage crimes. Despite large police force, we find wide prevalence of murders, burglary, thefts etc in rich nation. There crimes are on rise in countries like India also. Feeling of depression is pushing people towards suicides.
How to Measure Happiness
At present, we include three factors in measuring happiness namely, life satisfaction, expected life span and environment. These three elements are put together in a formulae and an index is prepared accordingly. Nations are listed in descending order of happiness. Rich nations are devoid of happiness because attempts to raise production cause environmental degradation and lust of maximizing incomes, brings down life satisfaction.
In this context farmer king of Bhutan propounded the concept of national happiness, which was substitute for national product. Today Bhutan is the only country in the world which has maximization of nationals happiness as their declared goal and same goal is also the guiding principle for their government’s policies. According to kinley Dorji, information and communication secretary Bhutan, even industralised countries are now compelled to rethink about, whether to retain or not, the objective of maximizing gross national product. According to the new constitution as adopted by Bhutan, all government policies and programmes related to agriculture, transport, external trade etc. would be judged based on happiness caused by them and not on the basis of economic benefit they bring. In this process, both government and people have their respective role. On the one hand, Bhutan has adopted democracy and paved the way for constitutional monarch of democratically elected government and on the other hand, conducive atmosphere is provided to maximize happiness. Nine aspects have been identified in this regard, namely; environment, health education, culture, life standard, time use, community vitality and good governance. All these are analysed on the basis of 72 indicators designed for this purpose. All aspects are scientifically analysed. For instance, time utilisation aspect would include how much time one spends with his family and at work place. All these figures are then put into a formulae and happiness index is prepared. Gross National Happiness Commission of Bhutan makes reassessment of these indicators after every two years.
However, even Bhutan is finding it difficult to maintain its happiness due to cultural pollution. They fear that their happiness may get eroded, as pillars of happiness are in danger. However, at the same time a small Himalayan Kingdom is educating the rest of the world that they design their policies with a goal to maximise happiness, moving ahead of the objective of economic growth or even human development index. Perhaps this is the only way to make this planet prosperous and happy.
