TURA:
Government, governance, and happiness index of the people will henceforth have to go hand in hand for the progress of the state, announced Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma here on Thursday while attending a special felicitation organised by the NPP on his successful return as chief minister to administer the state for a second five-year term.
Sangma said that the decision of the state government to include the happiness index of the people in the annual budget was a step in the right direction as it would ensure the government and its governance go together with the active participation of the public.
“Overall happiness of the people has to be taken into account while governing the state. We have to see whether the economic development projects being brought in the state are in line with the happiness and satisfaction of the people. Government and governance must include people’s participation and satisfaction,” the chief minister said.
He said that initially when his government toyed with the idea of including the happiness index, many were left confused and had asked him.
“They asked what it meant and what it would do. I told them only one thing- Happiness must come from inside, and not from outside. If people are content with governance then they are happy.”
The happiness index is a comprehensive survey instrument that assesses happiness, well-being, and aspects of sustainability and resilience.
The six categories of happiness are social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
India ranks a low 126 out of 136 countries in the happiness index making it one of the least happy countries in the world.
Rapid urbanisation and congestion in cities, concerns about food security and water safety, rising costs of health care, women’s safety, and environmental pollution, which itself is linked to poor mental well-being are believed to be the causes for the low index of the country.
Finland in Europe has been identified as the happiest country in the world.
Back home, Mizoram state has been identified to be the happiest in the entire country, while Kanpur is the happiest city in India.