Tour Guide, Lhuntse, Bhutan
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Gross National Happiness is philosophy propounded in 1972 by fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuk while he ascended as fourth king of Bhutan at the age 17. The main core of his philosophy is measuring country`s economic development through well being of his people rather gross domestic product of his country. He paved Bhutan to the age of modernization and farsighted to achieve economic-reliance, prosperity and happiness of his country and people for ever times to come.
His majesty assured to built his nation based on Buddhist spiritual values and principle, living citizen of country with ecology and harmony. It is indispensable invention for all the world to adopt such philosophy when their culture and ethic value are diminishing due to evolution and modernization of the world. This holistic and noble philosophy had given room for all sort of scholars, professionals, organization and political leaders to follow the path of Gross national Happiness concept for betterment of all.
In 2006, Business Week Magazine, Bhutan ranked 8th happiest country in the world and happiest country in Asia. This result proven Gross National Happiness paradigm has strong value formulated by our farsighted fourth king before five decades.
Gross National Happiness is encompassed with four pillar encapsulated by first prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley.
They are:
Equitable and equal socio-economic development
Preservation and promotion of culture and heritage
Conservation of Nature
Good governance
The paradigm of Gross National Happiness is guiding steady move of Bhutanese development giving priority for well being of citizen that shape Bhutanese life more comfortable and embracing the middle path. More progression and happiness of people, government ensure good government and conservation of Nature. In draft constitution, the coverage of forest should not go beyond 60% all the years to come.
When rest of world had lost their culture, Bhutan frame well-built paradigm for way to modernization. The economic development are moving on by protecting and promoting their culture and nature. Their root of revenue is generating by hydro power, mining and tourism industries. The philosophy of Gross National Happiness protect all Bhutanese lifelong culture and pristine environment for eons and eons generation of Bhutanese youth.