First Happiness Department in India — All You Want to Know.
The International Yoga day has just been celebrated around the world with a lot of fervour and enthusiasm. These celebrations have brought the country wide focus on Yoga, Wellness and Happiness. Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to establish a “Happiness Department” to ensure wellness and happiness in the lives of common people of the state. For this purpose, the Rajya Anand Sansthan was set up in August 2016 and is headed by the chief minister of the state. For a detailed and elaborative insight on the organisation we had Shri Manohar Dubey, CEO of Rajya Anand Sansthan with us. Below are the excerpts of our discussion:
Vision behind the formation of Rajya Anand Sansthan
Government of Madhya Pradesh has set up Rajya Anand Sansthan, an autonomous organization chaired by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, with the objective of enabling the people of state to live more fulfilling life. It has always been the endeavour of the State Government to provide physical infrastructure necessary for ensuring that individuals can live with dignity. However, economic growth and physical comforts alone cannot bring happiness in life. The Sansthan aims to build synergy between institutional strength of the Government and the efforts of the various organizations engaged in actions for happiness. The vision of Rajya Anand Sansthan includes developing indices and tools of happiness, conduct trainings to disseminate tools of internal wellbeing and create necessary eco-system which would enable people to realize their own potential of living happier life.
Initiatives taken by Rajya Anand Sansthan
Madhya Pradesh Rajya Anand Sansthan has launched following key programme which are as under:
1.Anand Utsav
2.Alp Viram
3.Anand Sabha
4.Anand Club
5.Anandam
Future plans and goals of Rajya Anand Sansthan.
The goal is to bring Anand among the people of the state.
Rajya Anand Sansthan is in the process of developing approach, methods and tools for internal wellbeing of citizen. Rajya Anand Sansthan is planning to seek support from Corporate and Agencies to work for public/social welfare in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
Broad Action plan
- Establish indices for measurement of happiness
- Act as a knowledge resource centre
- Review status of happiness level at regular interval
- Prepare and publish report on happiness level
- Advise government on happiness/wellbeing related aspects to be incorporated into state planning.
Rajya Anand Sasthan has already organised “Anand Utsavs” and has more than thirty thousand registered volunteers. It is encouraging to note that governments and state organisations are turning their focus on the wellbeing of the common people. With more awareness and educative programs like “Anand Ustav” and “Alp Viram”, governments can indeed create a culture of wellbeing among common people.
