MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
The government claims of keeping the citizens happy in numerous ways. It is portrayed as if there is no end to the welfare schemes for the people. The NGOs too are working towards improving the conditions of people. Despite all this, the question of why the people in our country are not happy has come to the surface, thanks to the recently published World Happiness Report 2023 by the United Nations Organisation.
India is ranked at 126 in the list, and to put this into perspective, Afghanistan which is considered to be in a turmoil is ranked last in the 137 nations surveyed. This has burst the government’s bubble that relentlessly imposing welfare schemes makes people happy. The only consolation is that our country has made some progress than the previous list which was released ten years back when India was ranked 136th. However, the question of why the governments of the biggest democracy in the world cannot keep its public happy remains unanswered.
The common assumption based on the news given by our media about our neighbouring countries is that they are in turmoil; however, even that narrative is questionable if the list was to be considered a benchmark. Everyone is aware of the current situation in Pakistan, but the neighbouring country is ranked higher than us at the 108th spot. Rest of the neighbours too have fared relatively well, with Nepal placed at 78, Bangladesh at 118 and Sri Lanka, which is going through its worst economic crisis since gaining independence, at 112. Ukraine and Russia which are engaged in a year-long war are also ranked 92 and 70, respectively. This makes the unhappiness report of Indians even more prominent.
The happiness report is created after taking into consideration various criteria, which primarily include the country’s gross national income per capita, social harmony, guarantee of healthy and secured life, least possible existence of corruption, generosity or charity and the freedom to take one’s own decisions or to live independently. Donating or helping the needy and voluntary participation in social work are also taken into account while preparing the list. Hence it could be said that declining opportunities of employment or livelihood, outbreak of corruption, inequality in the primary education facilities are some of the reasons why Indians are away from happiness.
If it is considered that wealth and happiness have relativity, then the large disparity in wealth distribution in India could be the barrier for the country to climb up the list. Poverty, corruption, lack of infrastructure and basic necessities, quality of public health facilities and lack of a healthy environment that prioritises mental health are some of the reasons behind citizens in our country being far from happiness.
Speeches by Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai often contain mention of the happiness index and he has cited Mizoram’s example for it. Before his transfer to Goa, Pillai was Governor of the state of Mizoram. As per the India Happiness Report, Mizoram ranked as the happiest state in the country and the Governor has wished the same for Goans. If each and every state tries to keep its people happy as per the aforementioned criteria, then India would eventually improve its ranking in the worldwide list. It can be argued that manpower development is more important than happiness.
In a first, the state government back in 2010, led by Digabambar Kamat, had decided to draft the manpower development report and a committee presided over by the then Chief Secretary Sanjay Shrivastav was also appointed. The report was created with help from the Planning Commission of India. However, no governments which followed after that seem to be keen on working on such reports.
Trying to find joy in every activity should be made into a habit. Happiness is never constant, however, there has to be a certain ease in the lifestyle to experience at least a few happy moments. Forcefully living a life is a torture to the mind and body. Life is beautiful, but the lifestyle could be inappropriate. Peacocks dance in the rains; monsoon is just an excuse. Similarly, humans too should find their own excuses to seek joy. There is nothing difficult for the one who possesses passion, fervency and liking. This is the key to lead a happy life and, of course, creating such an environment is the government’s responsibility. Things are possible only if the government gifts a stress free life to its people.
