TAKING TOURISM TO THE TOP

Gross National Happiness

Pursuit of happiness is central to life. So the Bhutanese have believed for long. Realizing a harmonious balance among economy, ecology, and culture, which are moored on a good governance system, as vital to creating a contented and happy national life, the Fourth King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck declared in 1970s that gross national happiness should be the focus of the national development rather than mere economic progress. The constitution recognizes one of the mandates of the state is to create conditions that maximize Gross National Happiness. Any policy must be screened by the GNH screening tools before it reaches consideration for endorsement. In that way, through GNH screening of the public policies, the state is able to realize the ideals of GNH in the nation’s development. Although GNH has been variously defined by scholars and others alike, it has a straightforward vision and goal, which is adequately captured in the definition for GNH the Fifth King of Bhutan provided in one of his foreign lecture – “Development with Values”. GNH as a scholarly concept has four pillars: Sustainable and Equitable Socio-economic Development, Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage, Preservation and Conservation of Environment, and Good Governance. Variously categorized under these pillars are the nine domains and other sub-level indicators. 20th March is today declared as the International Happiness Day, thanks to Bhutan government’s effort in the United Nations calling for the day’s recognition as such.