Happiness index is declining

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the dream of New India and world peace can be fulfilled only by moving forward with unison of ancient and modern values. The important responsibility of handing over the heritage of our cultural values to the next generation is on us. Chief Minister said that it is a matter of concern that though our GDP is growing rapidly and we are the fourth largest economy of the world but we are lagging behind in Happiness Index. There is need to look back into our past. He said that peace, harmony and prosperity have been the threads of our civilization. In our culture, it has been said that the truth is to be hailed, the unrighteousness be destroyed, there must be harmony among the people and welfare of the world. Chief Minister said that it is a bitter truth that the West is coming here and we are going towards the West. This is a transition period. We have to give direction to our new generation and society that where we have to go. In this, teachers, intellectuals can play an important role. Western countries are adopting our Sanatani tradition into their lives and as a result, they are very much ahead in the Gross Happiness Index. Western countries are ahead in our tradition of wellness to happiness. Today, despite the fast growing economy, India’s position in the Global Happiness Index is 133. The country is at 137th rank in the World Peace Index. When the Gross Eco Project connects with the GDP, it becomes the Gross Happiness Product. We have to understand the importance of the Gross Happiness Product.

Chief Minister said that wellness is possible with Yoga and happiness is possible with wellness. It is our good fortune that we are in Devbhoomi, Veerbhoomi Uttarakhand. In Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is known as the spiritual and yoga capital. People from all over the world come here for yoga and meditation. Adi Guru Shankaracharya established Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand. Swami Vivekananda, who gave the world the message of Sanatan Dharma, travelled to Almora, Augustmuni in Uttarakhand before moving to Chicago religion Conference in 1893. Swami Vivekananda spirtulism of India in western countries and gave a message of human welfare and world peace. Gandhi Ji also visited Uttarakhand for six times and experienced spiritual energy.

Chief Minister participated in the inaugural session of the two-day Regional Conference on “Towards Peace, Harmony and Happiness: Transition to Transformation” organized by Pranab Mukherjee Foundation at Swami Rama Himalayan University, Jollygrant, on Friday.

On this occasion, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi said that the change in society should be creative and well-meaning. It should not be destructive. For constructive transformation in society, focus should be on improving social and ethical values, human welfare, environmental protection and improving the shortcomings. Today, scientific and technological change has had a profound effect on the social relations and emotional status of the youth. We are living more in the virtual world. There is loss of human sensibilities in communication or dialogue in today’s generation and it has become more dependent on digital, virtual and smartphone. Dr. Joshi said that human relations are becoming fictional. Human relations are no longer emotional. Mobile language has changed the importance of literature, books and languages. Globalization has expanded. There is also instability in human sensitivities. Today’s generation has also started to believe in the instability of moral values and relationships. It is worrisome that in various countries of the world today, violence, stress, arrogance, inequalities, minor human development and nutrition level and various problems prevail. We also need to understand the mutual dependence of humans and the environment and take environmental protection seriously. Focus has to be not only GDP increase but should also be on overall human development. He said that the modernization of just technology has to be stopped. There is need to adopt nature friendly technology. Today, the social and political system should have to be moulded in accordance with the environmental interests and we need to re-adopt the concept Sarvajan Hitay Sarvajan Sukhay of Indian culture.

On this occasion, Vijay Dhasamana, Colonel Bakshi, Mayor Rishikesh Anita Mamgai, Vice Chancellors and students of various Universities were also present.