This topic will give a view about the happiness pattern of the world and will also help in understanding the application of GNH concept in Assam state of India.
1. A Social Geographic Perspective
Krishna Das
Department of Geography,
Gauhati University
2. ENTIRE DISCUSSIONS ON GNH
What is GNH?
The assessment of Gross National Happiness or "GNH" was
designed in an attempt to define an indicator that measures
quality of life or social progress in more holistic and
psychological terms than only the economic indicator of gross
domestic product (GDP). Gross National Happiness (GNH) is
an indicator developed in Bhutan in the Himalayas, based on the
concept elaborated in 1972 by the then King Jigme Singye
Wangchuck. Since then, the kingdom of Bhutan, with the
support of UNDP (UN Development Program), began to put this
concept into practice, and has attracted the attention of the rest
of the world with its new formula to measure the progress of a
community or nation.
3. GNH is based on the premise that the calculation of “wealth” should
consider other aspects besides economic development: the
preservation of the environment and the quality of life of the people.
The goal of a society should be the integration of material
development with psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects – all in
harmony with the Earth.
Happiness is a subjectively felt public good. Happiness is a public
good, as all human beings value it. Happiness blossoms through
enhanced relationships, arising unbidden when relationships improve.
In this sense, the whole of development is a progress in
relationships, not of individuals. GNH encourages individuals to see
all things as interdependent with all other things. In order to achieve
collective happiness, the principle of interdependence needs to be
taken on by everyone.
The GNH index was developed by the Centre for Bhutan Studies, a
non-aligned and non-profit research institution based in
Thimphu, Bhutan .
4.
5. The Four Pillars of GNH
•the promotion of equitable and sustainable socio-economic
development
•the preservation and promotion of cultural values
•the conservation of the natural environment, and
•the establishment of good governance.
6. The Nine Dimensions of GNH:
1. Psychological Well-being- Assesses the degree of satisfaction
and optimism in individual life. The indicators analyze self-
esteem, sense of competence, stress, spiritual activities, and
the prevalence of positive and negative emotions.
2. Time Use- The use of time is one of the most significant
factors in quality of life, especially time for recreation and
socializing with family and friends. A balanced management
of time is evaluated, including time spent in traffic jams, at
work, in educational activities, etc.
3. Community Vitality- Focuses on relationships and
interactions in communities. Examines the level of
confidence, the sense of belonging, the vitality of affectionate
relationships, safety at home and in the community, and the
practice of giving and volunteering.
7. 4. Culture- Evaluates local traditions, festivals, core
values, participation in cultural events, opportunities to develop
artistic skills, and discrimination due to religion, race or gender.
5. Health- Measures the effectiveness of health policies, with
criteria such as self-rated health, disability, patterns of risk
behaviour, exercise, sleep, nutrition, etc.
6. Education- Takes into account several factors such as
participation in formal and informal education, development of
skills and capabilities, involvement in children’s education, values
education, environmental education, etc.
7. Environmental Diversity- Measures the perception of citizens
about the quality of their water, air, soil, forest
cover, biodiversity, etc. The indicators include access to green
areas, system of waste management, etc.
8. 8. Living Standard- Evaluates individual and family
income, financial security, the level of debt, employment
security, the quality of housing, etc.
9. Governance- Assesses how the population views the
government, the media, the judiciary, the electoral system, and the
police, in terms of responsibility, honesty and transparency. It also
measures involvement of citizens in community decisions and
political processes.
The equation of Gross National Happiness Index is-
“GNH = 1- Average squared distance from cutoff”
9. In 2009, the 5th International Conference on Gross National
Happiness was held at Brazil, with more than 800 participants.
10. 2009 Happy Planet Index
Rank Country HPI
1 Costa Rica 76.1
2 Dominican Republic 71.8
3 Jamaica 70.1
4 Guatemala 68.4
5 Vietnam 66.5
6 Colombia 66.1
7 Cuba 65.7
8 El Salvador 61.5
9 Brazil 61.0
10 Honduras 61.0
11 Nicaragua 60.5
12 Egypt 60.3
11. 13 Saudi Arabia 59.7
14 Philippines 59.0
15 Argentina 59.0
16 Indonesia 58.9
17 Bhutan 58.5
18 Panama 57.4
19 Laos 57.3
20 China 57.1
21 Morocco 56.8
22 Sri Lanka 56.5
23 Mexico 55.6
24 Pakistan 55.6
25 Ecuador 55.5
12. 26 Jordan 54.6
27 Belize 54.5
28 Peru 54.4
29 Tunisia 54.3
30 Trinidad and Tobago 54.2
31 Bangladesh 54.1
32 Moldova 54.1
33 Malaysia 54.0
34 Tajikistan 53.5
35 India 53.0
36 Venezuela 52.5
37 Nepal 51.9
38 Syria 51.3
39 Burma 51.2
40 Algeria 51.2
13. Map showing the Global GNH patterns
Colour signifies Highest rank through to lowest rank; grey
indicates Information not available .(2006)
14. “GNH attention in Assam”
Assam plans to introduce new development index
It will follow the Bhutanese concept of Gross National
Happiness which reflects the true quality of life in a
more holistic manner
Guwahati: Assam will introduce the concept of “Gross
National Happiness” (GNH) as a development index in the
State.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that his government would
try to bring the concept of GNH and would take steps to
ensure that no people of the state starves or are deprived of
healthcare and education in the days to come.
The GNH as a concept of measuring prosperity is so far
unique to the neighbouring Bhutan.
15. “In the last decade the government had succeeded in improving
the growth rate of the State's economy from 2.53 per cent in 2000-
01 to 8 per cent in 2009-10. The new target has been set at 10 per
cent for the coming years. We want take forward this pace of
development and bring the concept of Gross National Happiness,”
Gogoi said here, at the Independence Day celebrations.
Bhutan's Gross National Happiness is a policy decreed by former
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to try and reflect the true quality
of life in a more holistic manner.
According to the Bhutanese happiness theory, a buoyant economy
means rising incomes and employment opportunities. However,
GDP (gross domestic product) figures cannot measure the well-
being of the country's nationals, as it only accounts for goods and
services that pass through the formal markets.
16. The announcements comes few days after Gogoi visited Bhutan
and addressed an international conference on “happiness and
economic development” at Thimpu, the capital of neighbouring
country.
The seminar convened by Bhutan follows a proposal of the
country adopted by 193 member-countries of UN to include
"happiness" as the Ninth Millennium Development Goal (MDG)
in New York last month.
Gogoi said the state government was giving more emphasis on
skill development and creating more employment opportunities
in order to find out a permanent solution to unemployment.
(news published in Times of India on April 29 & August 25)
