Happiness Index workshop will increase happiness level: Experts

Most of the experts who spoke at the international workshop on Happiness Index today welcomed and appreciated the workshop and the way the Anand department is expanding its activities in Madhya Pradesh, the first State  in India to form the Anand department in the country. The speakers also hoped that the outcome of this workshop would  bring new models in light to increase happiness levels in citizens in India and outside.

International workshop on happiness index has been organised by the Anand department in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. Prof Raj Raghunathan (USA), Prof. David Johns (UAE), Prof P Patnaik of IIT, Kharagpur and Samdu Chhetri of Bhutan, which initiated the formation of the department of happiness addressed the workshop.

Sambu Chhetri said that Bhutan's initiative was appreciated by many countries. Madhya Pradesh took a good step in the favour of humanity by forming department of happiness. Prof  Raj Raghunathan (USA) who belongs to Tamil Nadu, shed light on criteria for happiness like good health, security, traffic smoothness, education, attachment with neighbours and family members, apart from the basic needs like food, cloth and house. He pointed out that family relations are being affected by excess use of internet.

Efforts should be made to prevent it. Prof Raghunathan said that there is a need of happiness television channel today, which provide actual entertainment as well as internal happiness.

In the inaugural session of workshop on Happiness Index, Additional Chief Secretary, Anand Vibhag, Iqbal Singh Bains said that department of happiness introduced many programmes after its constitution in 18 months. It has yielded good results. He said that incorporating people with activities of Happiness Institute is successful. Bains informed about provisions of training in Isha Foundation, Coimbatore, and Panchgani and two institutes of Bengaluru. On this occasion, Bains appreciated the support; Madhya Pradesh is receiving from different sectors, describing it as important. He welcomed the delegates of different countries in the beginning of the workshop.