Blog – TriptoBhutan.com

Bhutan Happiness Mantra

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony” — Mahatma Gandhi

Bhutan is indeed a special place, calm, peaceful, serene, pristine and with happiness omnipresent. Locals seem to carry a contagious natural smile that is missing these days in most part of the world due to variety of reasons.

Importantly, the country is governed by philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), the term coined by Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1970s and interestingly Bhutan realistically prioritizes GNH over GDP. The conceptualisation of GNH and its incorporation in all governmental policy and programs has a major role towards people’s happiness.

Having always been politically independent, a rich and distinctive culture developed in Bhutan over the ages. Perhaps one of the most important factors in moulding of Bhutanese character has been Buddhism. The Buddhist faith has played and still continues to play a fundamental role in cultural, ethical and sociological landscape of the country and its people.  The influence of Vajrayana Buddhism since it got introduced in the country during eighth century has irrevocably shaped Kingdom’s history and destiny and have an indelible and enlightening impact on the Bhutanese way of life. In the four main pillars of Bhutanese Gross National Happiness principle i.e., good governance, socio-economic development, cultural preservation and environment protection, Buddhism has been the main guiding force.  

Bhutan has been blessed with great, far sighted and visionary monarchs who have always selflessly served the country and its people. Bhutanese are grateful to their Kings and their Kings are their source of inspiration, happiness, and peace. Since 2008, Bhutan has parliamentary democracy and King of Bhutan is head of the state while executive power is exercised by council of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The government of the day under able, visionary and futuristic leadership of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck meticulously taking care of public welfare schemes in form of free healthcare, free education and several other welfare schemes and ensuring that government support reaches to all section of the society. Bhutan recognizes health as a prerequisite for economic and spiritual development, poverty reduction and the road to Gross National Happiness. The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) recognizes education as a basic right and a prerequisite for achieving the country’s social, cultural and economic goals and continues to accord high priority to education as an engine of growth in the nation building process. There are no homeless people in the country and Bhutanese citizen who loses home due to any reason can approach King’s office and plead for assistance and he or she granted suitable land to build house, do farming and live a graceful life. This is amazing and truly endorses the philosophy of Gross National Happiness and peaceful co-existence of all beings. Country has extremely low crime rate and peace and safety prevails in every nook and corner of the country.

Interestingly, Bhutan has wealth of resources in form of its natural & cultural heritage, spirituality as its guiding force, great monarch, able, efficient & effective government, decent economy, warm & friendly people with small population, clean environment, extremely low crime rate, self-esteem & national pride, and all these characteristics together make it one of the happiest country on planet earth.