His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan, introduced the concept of Gross National Happiness in the 1970s. GNH is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to pursuit for happiness. The objective of GNH is to achieve a balanced development in all the facets of life that are essential; for our happiness (GNHC). The Economists all over the world claim that happiness is acquired by possessing and relishing material development. While Bhutan has distinct belief and advocates accumulation of materialistic wealth only doesn’t certainly lead to happiness. Bhutan now doesn’t measure progress based on prevalent idea Gross Domestic Product but by Gross National Happiness.
GNH emphasizes on both-prosperity and happiness, however, the latter is viewed to be more significant. The father of GNH, the fourth king emphasized that for Bhutan “Gross National Happiness,” is more important than “Gross Domestic Product.” The king said, rich aren’t always happy while the happy generally contemplated themselves rich. The GNH rejects the idea of pursuing economic growth as the ultimate goal, rather its concept is centered on the basis that true development of human society befall when spiritual and material progression occur like a two feet of a traveler and reinforce each other.
Now Royal Government of Bhutan has placed GNH at the core of country’s long-term development vision, making it a unifying force behind public policy and five year plans (FYPs) (GNHC). The constitution of Bhutan underscores the importance of GNH where it is stated that, “the state shall strive to promote those conditions that will enable the pursuit of Gross National Happiness” (National Assembly of Bhutan, NAB 2008).
THE FOUR MAIN PILLARS
The four main pillars of GNH are:
1. Sustainable and Equitable Socio-Economic Development
2. Environmental Conversation
3. Preservation & Promotion of Culture
4. Good Governance
The Nine Domains of Happiness:
The four pillars are further elaborated into nine domains, which articulate the different elements of GNH in detail and form the basis of GNH measurement, indices and screening tools.
1. Psychological well-being
2. Health
3. Education
4. Time use
5. Cultural resilience and promotion
6. Good governance
7. Community vitality
8. Environment
9. Living Standards