India, why are we not happy as a country?

By Shashi Narasimhiah

What is the one thing all people in the word want to achieve in their life? You guessed it – it is Happiness which is linked to the wellbeing of a society. But what is happiness and where do we find it? Despite happiness being one of our strongest emotions, yetit remains one of the most elusive, least understood and very subjective.

In a recent survey, Finland was identified as the happiest country in the world, New Zealand at 9 and Australia coming in at 12. But India, despite being one of the most vibrant and free societies, despite gaining a substantial place on the world stage – economically and strategically, was rated 139 out of 149 countries behind countries such as Pakistan, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq and Zambia. What happened? Why are we not happy as a country?

Here is some information on happinessfrom across the world:

• Once upon a time happiness was connected to individual spirituality, but, now, it has become an “industry” of estimated worth of US$4.2 trillion!
• There is no objective way to measure happiness – it is done by comparison onlyalthough some attempt has been made to objectively measure happiness such as Steen Happiness Index;
• Last year alone, some 3.2 million of us enrolled on Coursera for a course on Happiness;
• Over 200 Universities across the world have research institutes dedicated to happiness;
• Several countries have Government intervention in their community for achieving happiness and have ministries dedicated to happiness. New Zealand (9), Canada (11), UK (13) drive government sponsored wellbeing budgets and programs. Bhutan is the only country where Gross National Happiness is considered more important than GNP and they closely monitor happiness of citizens as the most precious commodity;
• Finlandbeingthe happiest country on earth isalso the most literate nation on earth, their social security is excellent and they like to spend more time outdoors and with nature;
• Costa Rica (15) with its per Capita GDP being one-fifth of USA is rated happier than the richest and most advanced nation on earth –USA (18) speaking of whom, their happiness depends on freedom and personal achievement. Pursuit of happiness is enshrined in the US declaration of independence;
• Australia being 12^th happiest country – its happiness is attributed to low Covid-19 infections, re-opening of the economy;
• In Nordic countries – life satisfaction, social support, freedom to make life choices and lack of corruption are known to have played a major role in community happiness;
• A lad in Germany says – it is contentment that gives him happiness; for another in Greece – it is finishing school, earning well retiring and achieving life stability, to be free of work, stress and health issues;
• For the Philippinos – happiness means laughter through tough times;
• The Japanese associate happiness with – good luck and social harmony;
• For the Iraqis it is more fundamental – their survival;
• But the most surprising – in China there is an aversion to total or extreme happiness on the basis that too much of it can bring unhappiness!
• As per Islam happiness is a lifelong process towards peace of mind, tranquillity of heart, contentment in the world  and everlasting bliss;
• And Christianity says – happiness is the ultimate goal of human kind and pursuit of happiness is a moral duty.

The above information points us to some general indicators such as:

• The formula “Money + Comfort + Travel = Happiness” is nottrue;
• Money on its own does not seem to have made its mark on happiness. Itwould be a major factor in happiness only if we are struggling to make ends meetand it seems to have very little to do with sustained long term happiness;
• One’s own freedom and educational level (not degrees) appear to play a role in one’s happiness;
• Government and the policies they put in place seem to have a role to play in the overall community happiness;
• Personal happiness is unique and is different for each individual. In general terms, 6 key ingredients of happinessnamely life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, generosity and income appear to play a role in different proportions towards one’s happiness.

As per Hinduism which is the only religion based on Karma and whose ultimate goal is Liberation or “Mukti”, only temporary happiness can be achieved on earth and permanent happiness is achievable either in the high heavens or in future existences. Karma which is based on reincarnation or re-birth, is the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.Therefore for Hindus, the current happiness is only transient and everything we do will result in happiness in the future.

Therefore being a Hindu majority nation, for Indians, the basis of their happiness being Karma and liberation or “Mukti”,the ultimate happiness, contentment and freedom is in the future andmay also be the hardest thing to achieve. Could this be the reason (among others)why India comes in low down in the Happiness Index?