It is sad that the first meeting of Anand Vibhag, the
proposed Happiness Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh in India, was
not a happy one and is drawing flak from ex-bureaucrats on the social media.
The chief minister of the state made an announcement
amidst much fanfare to create a happiness ministry some time back. There is no
ground to doubt earnestness of his noble intentions.
As a keen observer of the developments in this
regard, I may however point out that all was not well with other players in the
state after the announcement was made. The intention here is not to dig this
matter or discuss the comments made by ex-bureaucrats after the first meeting
was held in Bhopal recently.
I am sanguine that the happiness project is valuable
indeed and must be pursued in proper spirit. It will prove to do long term good
for the people of the state and set an example for other states of our country.
It has the potential to be a game changer.
Happiness is not a myth or utopia. Much scientific research
has been done on the subject in the last forty years or so. It is one of the
most popular course taught in at the Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.
The findings have been applied with great success to the US army and schools in
Australia and the US.
As I have already written in my earlier blogs, the
happiness project should include scientific tools from positive psychology,
positive education, positive health, positive ageing, neuro science, yoga,
meditation, laughter yoga etc.
It would be sad indeed if a noble idea suffers at the
hand of those who do not understand the science of happiness and well-being. It
should not become a victim of petty politics and ignorance. If the chief
minister comes out of the cocoon and seeks services of good Samaritans who have
a know-how of the subject, we are always there.
My earlier blogs on the subject:
Jagat
Singh Bisht
(The
blogger is a Happiness Coach & Laughter Yoga Master Trainer based in Indore,
India with a background of Behavioural Science, Positive Psychology, Yoga,
Meditation and Laughter Yoga. He is the founder of LifeSkills. He may be reached at coolbisht@hotmail.com, facebook.com/CoolBisht,
@CoolBisht and +91 7389938255)
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