The ultimate Human Aspiration is Happiness. These days, there are many who believe the modern view of speeding up economic growth will contribute to the generation and growth of happiness. But what makes you happy? Wealth? Is Bill Gate the happiest person in this World? Power? Is Donald Trump the happiest? Was Saddam Hussien the happiest? Is Dalai Lama the happiest?
However these are the intangibles which backs in achieving happiness. Gross National Happiness, as the guiding philosophy of Bhutan’s development process, was pronounced by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, soon after his enthronement in 1972. GNH stands for holistic needs of human being - both physical and mental wellbeing. The GNH is based on a balance among four pillars: social/cultural preservation, environmental preservation, good governance and economic growth. No one of the pillars is more important and a change in one area is examined in light of the other three.
However GNH is also tinted by many criticisms as nonrealistic approach and thus the route towards achieving the goals of GNH is tackled with lots of hindrances. Various factors holds back from gleaming light of guidance for holistic developments. There are three challenges, which limit the achievement of happiness and these include the outer, inner and secret obstacles:
The outer obstacles consists of famine, war, natural disaster and diseases etc. Believing the fact that having enough money in bank, driving fancy car, wearing branded outfits and residing in a fabulous building would give enough happiness but possessing all such items put us in the web of concerns. The spirit of amassing, protection and booming wealth weighs down one with least satisfaction, worries and exhaustion which is not an ideal means of achieving GNH.
The inner obstacle of happiness relates to suffering caused by illness or disease and the fear of death. Dread of getting down looked by the society, getting hurt by others and hurting others, failure and confrontments of challenges keep a person lingering within the oceans of sadness.
The secret obstacles, also impairing happiness are desire, anger and ignorance. This is mostly brewed from our inner mind, chances are very slim for one to be able to develop happiness. Desire of getting rich, angered by others success and lacking skills and knowledge are some of the cause of distress.These emotions of three poisons are very powerful because they have the power to make everyone suffer - both in this world and the next generation.
The challenges can also be viewed through the lens of four pillars of GNH:
1. Sustainable and equitable Socio-economic development. The materialistic development is determined from the scale of economic advancements where difficulties in attaining sustainable and equitable socio-economic growth is obvious from the economic sufferings faced by the majority of global community. Unequal distribution of resources, inefficient planning and ineffective execution has resulted in the economic disparity. Unequal income distribution has led to Ignorance, ill health, deprivation, and poverty in their most miserable forms are still serious challenges faced by much of the developing world. Most underdeveloped and developing nations for whom physical survival is an everyday challenge. In order to create happy society economic policies are what matters most. Provision of jobs via creating secure working environments and maintaining better livelihood are nuts and bolts of happiness.
2. Conservation of the Environment. The government of the day is consistently aiming to provide better service for the citizens through various developmental activities but sadly development has come at the cost of environmental destruction. This has serious repercussion in the long run on the public and it would cause a lots of disaster viz, (man-made and natural). Moreover as our constitution mandates 60% under the forest cover we cannot lively explore and consume the resources to meet the needs of every citizen. Exploitation of environment and biodiversity would also demean our major source of income the vibrant tourism industry that also indirectly curbs the employment opportunity. This creates dissatisfied society. Thus, we understand that there is a demonstrable relationship between happiness and natural environment.
3. Preservation and Promotion of Culture. The life line of national security and sovereignty hangs on the unique and rich culture heritage of our nation. Every individuals wears smile and are in the situation who has fundamental rights to be exercised at our command. Happiness resides where people has freedom to enjoy but one should remember to perform fundamental duties as well. However amongst youths being in indigenous culture seems more of a norms n punishment which stirs the calmness of happiness in them. Nevertheless for a greater cause and long run we believe that a state which does not preserve its cultural richness is one where the choices and well-being of its citizens are diminished and greatly constrained. The swift globalization has serious threat on the depletion of culture which has potential of causing widespread misery where independence is at stake.
4. Good Governance. This pillar encompasses all above mentioned principles. Good governance brings forth peace and harmony society. There would be firm bond amongst citizens and solid trust between peoples and bureaucrats because there won’t be any lapses in system as it is being well planned and executed in the interests of public. Should it happen in other way around than whole nation would run to dooms day. Chaos and problems would erase the sense of happiness from the face of the Earth. When everyone enjoys equal share than there exists a peaceful and happy society like an Eden above. However with an arrival of democratic form of government and when each individual gets empowered to raise their voice, it brings forth lots of issues and in a way many remain unsatisfied at the personal or general level. To establish liberal and peaceful society free of despondency we faces lots of challenges in our actual life.
In the world where resources are limited and individual desires are boundless GNH serves a cornerstone for the creation of sustainable development paradigm. GNH stands for holistic needs of human being - both physical and mental wellbeing. While poverty alleviation and other material development measures are consistent with physical well-being, the misery of mental conditions that is independent of material living conditions cannot be addressed by favorable material circumstances alone. GNH seeks to complement inner skills of happiness with outer circumstances. Both sources have to be harmonized to bring about happiness.
