OPINION: Bhutan shows the way to better happiness

Bhutan and India have had a connection from time immemorial. Firstly, because we are neighbouring countries and secondly, it is part of the Himalayan ranges, where our rishis travelled through the ages. The word 'Bhutan' itself got derived from the Sanskrit word 'Bhu-Uttan', meaning 'land-elevated'. Bhutan is one country where gross national happiness is more important than the gross national product. This land, unlike the west, had a different concept of happiness. In the Indian ethos too, happiness comes first, and then the objects of happiness. Only last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the need to preserve our environment in Bear Grylls' show on Discovery Channel. In Bhutan, when every child is born, the family plants a tree. Because of its environment-friendliness, the carbon footprint of the country is close to zero. 

Also, their primary religion is Buddhism. Since India is where Prince Siddhartha became Gautam Buddha, Buddhism is considered to be India's greatest gifts to Bhutan. Buddha is said to have travelled in the Gangetic Plain, in what is now Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and southern Nepal, teaching a diverse range of people. So there is a strong Bihar-UP-Buddha-Bhutan umbilical cord connection. This spiritual bonding between both the countries, if understood in the real sense, can help enhance the happiness quotient of our country too.

D K Hari & Hema Hari, Bharath Gyan, Chennai