Wedged between giant neighbours and secluded by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world, Bhutan popularly known as The Last Shangri-la, is one of the happiest nations in the world and the happiest amongst South Asia. It is known for its rich biological diversity and recognized as one of the ecological hotspots with 72% of country’s area still under forest cover. Importantly, it is the only carbon negative country in world and a true role model for sustainable development.
One of the youngest democracies in the world with the least corruption, Bhutan believes in Gross National Happiness (GNH), not Gross National product (GNP). When people in most part of the world today measure happiness in terms of materialistic possessions, in Bhutanese context happiness has much deeper meaning and more wholistic. All over world, people work hard to create wealth in order to achieve happiness whereas Bhutanese work smartly to create happiness, to bring peace and success in whatever they do. The people here are more community conscious; more people oriented and not task oriented and achieve happiness by managing their resources judiciously. Things here are simpler, clearer and people live simple and comfortable life within their means.
Bhutan’s developmental model, guided by principles of Gross National happiness, mainly stand on four pillars: good governance, conversation of natural environment, preservation and promotion of culture and sustainable and equitable socio-economic development. And it has adopted a four-fold approach i.e., balance between materialism and spiritualism, focus on specific resource potentials for development, distribution of responsibilities and integrated management, while focus has been on three sectors: energy, industry and agriculture.
The state religion of Bhutan is the Drukpa sect of Kagyupa, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism which has shaped nation’s history and played a vital role in daily lives of its people. Throughout Bhutan, from the most densely populated valleys to the most remote mountain way stops, religious monuments and symbols bear witness to a deep and respected faith. Every Bhutanese home has a chapel where the family prays each day before the altar. Monks are held in great respect and play an active part in community life.
Large part of Bhutan’s success can be attributed to its geographical location, wealth of natural & cultural resources and its relatively small population of 755,000 who are hard working, caring, peace loving and deeply spiritual. At times, small size poses smaller challenges and probably Bhutan could achieve its success owing to its limited challenges. In similar way other nations especially, the smaller ones can emulate ways and means to bring happiness and prosperity to its people.
Bhutan can be aptly presented to the world as a spiritual nation because of omnipresent Buddhism as its guiding philosophy, deep respect for ecology & environment, its peace and tranquillity, good governance, strong family and community values, its global credential as happy country. There is no exploitation in Bhutan and people live in complete peace, harmony, amity and goodwill. Bhutan can certainly excel as role model for other nations to achieve progress through peace and happiness.
