GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS IN BHUTAN

The Origin and History of GNH

The GNH is most important philosophy in the countries like technologically and economically backward in the world. The most of the wealthy nation takes account the 'Gross Domestic Product', (GDP). Gross Domestic Product in Bhutanese society has given least importance than the GNH. The GNH is significantly growing further popular in the Nation like Kingdom of Bhutan.

The GNH stands for Gross National Happiness. GNH was first introduced by Former His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in late 1960s.  And thereafter, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck initiated the unique developmental philosophy with bold intensions to get well known to the modern world. With the entrance in UNO as the member, Bhutan's name and fame and reputation to the world as a tiny and small nation gained rapidly and increasingly. Later His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyelpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck enhanced the unique developmental philosophy, which in turn gained popular in and around the world within short span of time. Bhutan was well identified and expands its popularity to the world because of the GNH, the unique developmental philosophy of Third King and Fourth King.

Now GNH, the unique developmental philosophy was popular in Kingdom of Bhutan as "Gyelyong Gakid Pelzom". When I was young and small, I heard term 'Gyelyong Gakid Pelzom' talking in the public by the village leaders or head men. Those times, I was young and I was thinking that 'Gyelyong Gakid Pelzom' was name of the person, but when it came to the reality, its unique developmental philosophy in the Bhutanese society where other countries did not take into account.

Does GNH growing its popularity in other countries during 1970 and 1980s? No it was not popular but it gained mere popularities in the country like Bhutan. Only His Majesty the King, Ministers, High Level dignitaries and local heads knew the concepts about GNH. Then it got popularity in urban areas of the country, but in village levels the GNH was considered as the high level talks.

To make clear cut meaning of the GNH, we must understand the main pillars of the GNH. The GNH has got “Four main Pillars” which is also called as “Kachen Zhi”. 'Kachen Zhi' depicts, how GNH country should be, usages of GNH, the terms of GNH, the meaning of GNH and so on. The 'Four Pillars' of GNH are as follows:

1.       Conservation of the Environment,

2.      Equitable Development,

3.      Preservation of Culture,

4.      Good Governance.

GNH counts a lot in every developmental process, that when development of infrastructure begun, the Environment will be definitely affected, Equity will be ruined, Culture will be vanished and Governmental system might change adversely. But to not to affect, ruin, vanish and change, the GNH is there to guide and when we keep in mind the 'Four Pillars' of GNH the all these things may not happen in the society like that of other countries in the world.

To understand the unique developmental philosophies of GNH completely, the following are the brief explanation on the 'Four Pillars' of GNH. They are tie following:

1). Conservation of the Environment:

Regarding conservation of the Environment, we the Bhutanese people must always keep in mind the GNH. The Conservation of the Environment includes in GNH, the capacity building for natural world monitoring, species conservation, substitute liveliness, understanding and fighting climate alteration. These are the main thing to maintain in our country as the GNH and as well as in the world today.

2). Equitable Development:

In terms of Equitable Development, the sustainable and equity must be honored. Everywhere anytime in the GNH country, there must be improved emergency medicine, pleasing to the eye education for children with special needs, supporting youth leadership and cheering entrepreneurship. All these should be given equally to the people living in the customized territory as the GNH country. There should not be unfairness amongst the citizens such as High level dignitaries, and low working peasants. The differences of Sky and Earth should be eradicated.

3).Preservation of Culture:

The unique culture and traditions of the country counts a lot. The culture and traditions of the nation plays an important role to get familiar in the world. The   reinstallation of cultural heritage sites, improving welfare of Choedey Lhentshog (Religious Organizations) such as Monks and Nuns, supporting traditional arts and music and oral literature is vital in GNH country like Bhutan. Currently, Bhutan is undergoing lots of programs to preserve culture and tradition of old aged Bhutan. The religious ceremonies like Tshechus and rituals are well known to the world.

4). Good Governance:

If the bureaucracy and bureaucrats in the country is not good then GNH might not succeed. The bureaucrats of the GNH country should be capable enough, experienced and should have good relation with the citizens of the country. What should bureaucrats have to do? The bureaucrats should mind to help following; Helping non-profit organizations succeed, encourage to develop civil society, capacity expansion and increasing awareness of the role of media and democracy is vital in new era like Bhutan and furthermore in the least developed nations in the world. But Good governance should not be exempted in developed countries of the world.

The GNH in Bhutanese Society

In the late 1980s, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth Dragon King of the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, propounded a unique concept of the maximization of Gross National Happiness (GNH). The concept of GNH is distinctively Bhutanese and new in the conventional theories of development economics. The concept has its roots in Bhutan's Buddhist traditions that human sufferings can be avoided by the adequate provision of satisfaction of four necessities. They are:

1.       Food,

2.      Shelter,

3.      Clothing and                              

4.      Medicine.

These four are major problems for the Bhutanese people, but ultimately satisfaction or happiness is attained through a sense of material detachment and spiritual fulfillment. In simple terms, the concept of Gross National Happiness underlines that development of a country has many more dimensions beyond those linked to Gross Domestic Product as defined by modern economies. Moreover, development should be viewed as a process that seeks to maximize happiness rather than economic growth. In Bhutan the happiness is much more vital than the wealth as if there is happiness it's more than enough and if there is wealth, the happiness never exist. The richest countries in the world are not necessarily the happiest in the world. Thus, happiness may be subjective but it is enduring.

There three combined words make the unique sentence that flourished in the society of Bhutan since many decades. So, let us now glance at the three words "Gross National Happiness" connotes or denotes. 'Gross' reflects "totality and holistic" approach, 'National' refers to "Bhutanese Nationals across classes and 'Happiness' refers to prosperity and fulfillment within the cultural, social and environmental boundaries. Thus, the concept of GNH is more totalistic and holistic in terms of approach and it relates the focus of the development of the country to the fulfillment of the aspirations of all the nationals of Bhutan across the board while promoting and preserving the rich social, cultural and environmental possessions of Bhutan. The Gross National Happiness conceptual ideas are used in many more ways to promote and enhance the concepts in Bhutan and in the world as well. The concepts of Gross National Happiness are used in following ways:

• In Infrastructural Development,
• In Law making processes,
• In Preserving Culture and Heritage,
• In Equitable Development,
• In Government,
• In Conservation of Environment,
• In Educating the School Children, and
• In Health and Medical care,

With the help of Gross National Happiness concepts, everything we will and possess to do come true in the various fields. The achievements that we aspired come tremendous and magnificent. The way we use our concepts and policies are explained below:

In Infrastructural Development:
To maximize the happiness, of all Bhutanese, and to enable them to achieve their full and innate potential as human beings within the framework of traditional values and ethics and The infrastructural developments in the rural and urban areas such as construction of roads, electrification of village homes, sanitation and safe drinking water, access to good education and basic health facilities, etc...Never affects the eco-system of the animals, no destruction of flora and fauna, etc... Because the people who are involved in such team works has the concept of GNH and follows the four Pillars of GNH policies and future concern is there within them. Thus, this means that achieving sustainable improvements in eco-system, rich bio-diversity, flora and fauna, etc. Therefore, improvement of standards of infrastructure without affecting the environments

In Law making processes:
The Gross National Happiness concepts and policies are used in framing the rules and regulations, bills, laws, etc. of the country for benefits of the people. For example, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan was framed on the basis of GNH concepts. GNH is always kept above the laws and source of the laws. When Parliamentarian sits for the revision or making new laws they may take GNH as an major sources of law and based on the GNH, they may look whether there is positive impact or negative impacts or side effect or not. Thus, the GNH is used in making laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

In Preserving Culture and Heritage:
The culture and Heritage is one of the four pillars of the GNH. While in the preservation of culture and heritage the concepts of GNH is counted. If the country has to remain independent and unique forever, the preservation of rich cultural heritage is vital and significant. Thus, the country's sovereignty remains forever without other giants influence in internal and external affairs so that the country has got its own rich culture and heritage. Therefore country's rich cultural heritage and customs and traditions help to keep country from being annexed or colonized. Thus, GNH concept is used in preservation of culture and heritage.

In Equitable Development: 

To ensure that the benefits of development are shared equitably between different income groups and regions and in ways that promotes social harmony, stability and unity and contributes to the development of a just and compassionate society. The development is equal among the people settled in the same justified areas with reference to Gross National happiness policies and concepts. For example, the budget for the infrastructure development is same everywhere at anytime. Here the differences between haves and have-nots, poor and rich, etc. will be equalized and the people may enjoy the same basic needs and wants equally. Social justice and equity prevails which ultimately leads to Happiness for all the people of the nation as a whole.

Therefore, thus, the concepts and policies were used in the equitable development in the society in terms of any basic needs and wants in Gross National Happiness society like Bhutan.

In Governing the Country:
To further develop national institutions, human resources and system of governance in ways that enable us to reduce our dependence on others, to manage an increasingly complex process of development, and enlarge opportunities for people at all levels to participate more fully and effectively in decisions that have a bearing on their lives and livelihoods and the future of their families, communities and the nation. Institutional development must also promote transparency and accountability, and be supported by the force of law. If there is good governance existed, the country may experience the peace and tranquility, and happiness for the people residing in the territorial boundaries may occur.

The GNH concept and policies were vital in the governing the state or country as a GNH's Birth place. The governmental system of the country will be strong and cemented by GNH policies. Therefore, the concept and policies of Gross National Happiness is used in the Governing the country. Thus, GNH played significant role in the governing the Country.

In Conservation of Environment:
To ensure the developmental choices embody the principle of environmental sustainability and do not impair the biological productivity and diversity of the environment. The conservation of wild life and species, alternative energy, understanding and combating climate change such as melting of glaciers, increasing green house gases, etc. must be protected with the use of GNH concepts and policies.

The rapid increase in water levels and forest fires are much concerned problems in the modern countries. Therefore, the GNH concepts and policies must have been implemented and used in conservation of environment by reducing greenhouse gas, melting glaciers and all. Thus the GNH policy and concepts plays vital role.

In Educating the School Children:
Education in modern world is necessary for the children to enhance the knowledge about what was happened and what is happening in and around the world. In Bhutan the education is taught in accordance with the concepts and policy of Gross National Happiness. The school going children were treated well without any harassment and embarrassment from teachers, which shows that happiness for children, were brightened. The learning atmosphere is good and calm without any disturbances from outside.

Therefore, the students learn and study their subjects well and would achieve good results which signify happiness in the students of the Bhutanese society. Thus, the concept and policy of GNH were implemented and used in educating children and is achieved.

In Health and Medical care: 
The basic infrastructure for the people is that health and medical care for the people. The people were given free and equal health and medical care. The people were happy with what government did to them. The health care is much more tremendous to the people of Bhutan.

The Health and Medical care is 100 percent free for the people from government. Therefore, the concepts and policies of the GNH were existed in terms of proper health and medical care for the people residing in and around the Gross National Happiness country Bhutan which was experiencing tremendous peace and happiness prior to.