By The Editor
Happiness is a very subjective factor in our life. It does not mean at all in having wealth, fame and honour but in being satisfied and contented with what we have through hard work and honest means. An anonymous proverb says, “True happiness comes from the knowledge that we are of some use in this world.” Many people think if they have plenty of money they will be happy and contented and need not worry but the problem is that the more they get the more they want. Such characters will spend sleepless nights and will not mind either in using unfair means to achieve their greed which however will lead to ultimate ruin and destruction. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States of America (USA) said, “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort”. In a democracy, government has great role in making its citizen happy and provide various needs at affordable cost.
Finland located in the northern part of Europe bounded by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north, the Gulf of Finland in the south and Russia in the east with an area of 337,009 square kilometer and population of nearly 56 lakh has topped the United Nation’s Happiness Index for six years in a row. Six factors used are social support, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom to make life choices, perception of corruption and GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Poverty rate (Ratio of people below poverty line) is 0.057 which is second next to Czech Republic which is first with 0.056. Air pollution exposure (pollutant, micrograms per cubic metre) is 5.638 which is the lowest and India is the highest at 83.304. Trust in government (percentage of respondents) is 77.54 which occupies third place and Switzerland at 83.78 occupies first position. Social spending (percentage of GDP) at 29.02 in fourth place with France at 31.63 which is first. Besides, Finland spends considerable amount of money in education and health. It is the cleanest country in the world, second rank with regard to press freedom and to be a mother, third best country for working mothers and children’s rights which during previous years was in top position. India ranks 126 out of 136 countries in the world. Himachal Pradesh was the happiest state in India in 2022 which retains its position in 2023 among large states and Goa among small states stood first followed next by Mizoram.
Chief Minister Conrad. K Sangma on April 27 made it clear that decision of the state government to include happiness index of the people annual budget was a step in the right direction as it would really uplift prestige of the government and the state with active support of the public. Hence in order to achieve success for implementation of schemes and projects people’s welfare ought to be top priority. In conclusion he stressed on inclusion of people’s participation and satisfaction.