International Day of Happiness 2021

The International Day of Happiness is being celebrated on March 20, 2021. The day is observed every year across the world to mark the importance of happiness in the lives of people. In the year 2021, the day is being celebrated under the Theme: “Happiness for All, Forever” which signifies the importance of happiness.

Highlights

The day recognises the happiness as a most important need of the human’s life. It is linked to the overall well-being of humans. The day is observed with the aim of establishing the important role that happiness must play while setting the public policy objectives. With the observance of this day, happiness is intrinsically related to the equitable economic growth which in turn lead to the sustainable development and overall well-being for the people.

Background

The International day of Happiness was started being observed by the United Nations in the year 2013. The observance of the day was started following several years of campaigning by the United Nations adviser Jayme Illien who grew up in a Mother Teresa’s orphanages in Kolkata. He get the inspiration to end the global inequality through his years in orphanage and other life experiences. The resolution to observe the day was passed on July 12, 2012. This resolution to mark the day was first initiated by Bhutan. Bhutan had emphasised the importance of “National Happiness” over “National Income” since 1970s. The country had also adopted thereby adopting the “Gross National Happiness” over the “Gross National Product”.

Gross National Happiness (GNH)

It is also called as Gross Domestic Happiness. GNH is a philosophy which guides the government of Bhutan. It comprises of an index that is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of the population. The Gross National Happiness Index is instituted as the goal in the constitution of Bhutan which enacted in July 2008.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021