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- Pawan K. Verma’s Column We Have Learnt To Be Happy In All Circumstances, But For How Long?
5 hours ago
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Pawan K. Verma, former Rajya Sabha MP and diplomat
Bhutan-King Jigme Singye Wangchuck coined the concept of Gross National Happiness to measure the quality of life in a country. He had said that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures progress only from an economic point of view. But ‘progress’ is also determined by the extent to which people experience prosperity despite material deprivation.
On this basis he claimed that Bhutan, situated in the Himalayan valleys, is one of the happiest countries in the world. I have been the Ambassador of India to Bhutan and I agree with him. But for completely different reasons I think India is actually the happiest country in the world! This is because our ability to accept the unacceptable has now increased so much that almost nothing makes us sad.
The basis of my claim is the reactions we give to situations that can make most people extremely unhappy. For example, our cities have become urban-nightmares; Neither electricity nor water is guaranteed; The sewage disposal system has almost collapsed; The roads – barring a few VIP highways – are buzzing with potholes; Every monsoon sees garbage floating on blocked drainage networks; Our rivers which were once pure, have now become dirty; Our cities are among the most polluted cities in the world.
But we are not distressed by this. Our strength is our ‘positive’ attitude. What if there is a power cut for a few hours, the rest of the time there is electricity! The problems caused by monsoon are temporary. If there is shortage of water, work can be done using tankers or illegal borewells.
If accidents happen on the roads, they can be avoided by efficient driving; So what if the rivers get polluted, at least they are still alive! So what if pollution is deadly, last year we were not able to survive in it!
Our politicians also never feel sad. If they win the election, it is obviously a matter of great joy for them. But if lost, party funds are used wisely to ensure that the assets do not deteriorate.
When Parliament is in session, we see MPs shouting at each other; If there is an adjournment, our public representatives enjoy subsidized food in the Central Hall. There is no problem with the problems raised by the people. They can be easily avoided by talking about religion, nationalism or any other external issue.
Our justice system is also happy. Crores of people come to him for help and crores of cases are still pending; But judges get paid, lawyers make money and convicts are confident that justice will be delayed.
Most bureaucrats are happy with the opportunities to earn money. Businessmen are happy. If profits increase, chartered accountants ensure that they do not have to pay much tax. Anyway, money opens many doors. The rich keep getting richer.
The government claims that even the poor are happy! They get free ration, stipends, which also includes money to build a pucca house. If local officials take illegal share from the rave parties then it is a cause of happiness for them. And it is definitely for the poor, because at least they get something.
There is no limit to the happiness of rich farmers! They have free electricity, free water and cheap labour. Poor farmers are happy when the monsoon arrives on time, or when the commission agent or middleman pays them their nominal dues, or gives them loans at high interest rates when they need them.
There are many undeniable declarations in the storehouse of our happiness. That we are the largest democracy in the world; are the world’s fastest growing economies; There is nuclear power; Indians will soon land on the moon; We are the youngest nation in the world; We are the outsourcing capital of the world; Our great civilization is the oldest!
We see hope even where there is no hope. No one in the country seems sad enough to be inspired to bring about major changes in life. This will change only when the common people – especially the youth – start expressing their unhappiness!
We see hope even where there is no hope. No one seems sad enough to be inspired to make major changes in life. This will change only when common people – especially the youth – start expressing their unhappiness. (These are the author’s own views)