Happiness is over-rated

HAPPINESS IS OVER-RATE Rajeev Lal  A few days ago, the United Nations published its World Happiness Report, 2017, in which India figured at 122 nd position among 155 countries. In fact, India slipped by 4 notches over its 2016 ranking of 118 whereas Pakistan, the arch rival, improved its ranking from 92 in 2016 to 80. Naturally, it was reported with great dismay by the Indian press. All our neighbours and even countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Somalia, etc. are better placed than us, they lamented. UN started publishing the World Happiness Report in the year 2012. At that time, there was a concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) index and in terms of GNH, Bhutan was declared to be one of the happiest countries in the world. This was widely reported at that time.Thereafter, the methodology for measuring national happiness has been changed substantially and in the 2107 report, Bhutan ranks at 97 th position. Now, among other things such as, healthy life expectancy...