How happy is Bhutan really?

The Gross National Happiness (GNH) measures the feature of a country in a more universal way and considers that the advantageous expansion of society takes place when factual and transcendental developments happen side by side.

Bhutan claims to have fixed its goal on achieving GNH. Its method of measuring happiness includes- divine element, communal and traditional engrossment and anxiety for environment. The Bhutanese believe that death is a part of life. Whether they like it or not, it involves a heavy psychological cost. They are likely to think about death five times a day. That would be remarkable for any nation, especially for one that is so closely equated with happiness like Bhutan.

In Bhutan there is the academia, including GNH conferences, on the one hand and planners, decision makers, and executors on the other. There are some indicators and tools. Also, there is the 10th Plan which is based on old priorities.

It is not the time for Bhutan to congratulate itself. The GNH is just being created - the guidelines, the foundations, the economy, and the political system should be created. Bhutan needs to cultivate a GNH philosophy.

The GNH must be understood as a duty. It is not a promise of happiness. Happiness is an individual hunt. The GNH is a command of the state, an accountability of the government to create the exact environment for citizens to pursue pleasure.

Democracy is not the goal in Bhutan. It is a means to achieve good governance which is a tool to achieve the Gross National Happiness. Both GNH and democracy call for the empowerment of the people. Some GNH proponents have a tendency to equate Bhutan and the GNH. But it is more important that the Bhutanese society faces the painful truths and solutions.

Yet Bhutan is one country where the GNH is possible. The government claims that it is equipped to use whatever pointers are accessible. Scientists and academics must instantly offer the leaders the motivation and explanation to make tough decisions. They must be able to establish consumption boundaries and familiarise themselves with proper technology. They must make sure that benefits are distributed fairly, that waste is organized, that the children are given the exact education. In fact, education is the foundation of the GNH.

Nargis Sultana

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