#INTERNATIONALHAPPINESSDAY - BE HAPPY, SPREAD HAPPINESS

20 Mar 2018

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The purpose of life can be fulfilled only when we cherish each moment. Being happy and content should always be our prerogative. I strongly believe the essence of happiness lies in spreading joy and bliss in the lives of others. International Day of Happiness, which is celebrated today (March 20^th) every year, gives us a chance to serve others, bring a smile on their faces and make our lives worthwhile.

Happiness has been given special prominence in India’s culture and tradition. In Hindu culture, spiritual happiness is considered more important than material happiness. Happiness can be classified into inner and outer happiness (peace). Government and administrative machinery influence outer happiness directly and inner happiness indirectly. The happiness and welfare of 7.5 Crore people of Madhya Pradesh is topmost priority of my government. I am proud of the fact that Madhya Pradesh is the 1^st state in India to create a ‘Department of Happiness (Anand Vibhag)’. The state, borrowing from religious texts and folk wisdom, is helping spread the virtues of goodness, altruism, forgiveness, humility and peace.

In a world engulfed with worries, our one-of-its-kind Anand Vibhag focuses on making people of the state free of anxiety, content and happy. The initiative aims at ensuring that all government departments in the state function to bring happiness into lives of the citizens. A host of activities like games for elderly people, meet during festivals, Neki Ki Diwar, Happiness Workshops, etc are regularly organized. An annual Anand Utsav, besides Anand Club and Anand Sabhas are an essential part of the Department. Scores of people have come forward not only to participate in the various activities of Anand Vibhag but have also registered as volunteers. We have as many as 46,117 Anandaks in the state today, who are working to positively impact the lives of people. Government workers, teachers, doctors, homemakers and assorted people are working in the state's 51 districts, holding ‘happiness tutorials and programmes’.

We have tied up with IIT Kharagpur to prepare a ‘Happiness Index’ for the state that will be published this year. Feedback received from Happiness Index surveys will be factored into government policies and public expenditure priorities. It will also help to ascertain the needs of gram panchayats and urban local bodies. We will soon be conducting a survey to gauge the Happiness Quotient of citizens of the state. We are also in the process of starting fellowships for high-level study and research that I believe will open new vistas. Happiness brings government closer to the public. We have always believed that we can only march ahead when our people are happy, content, satisfied and leading a tension-free life.

To feel happy, it is very important to be in harmony with our surroundings and that is only possible when we consider every living being as our own. To be happy, it is paramount to feel grateful for what we have, renounce vices like hatred, pride, greed and avarice, and work for others. This International Day of Happiness let’s take a pledge to follow Adi Guru Shankaracharya’s philosophy and spread happiness by focusing on our relationships, engaging in kindness and helping others.