It has come as a shock to many Indians that the 2015 report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (based on a survey conducted by the American research company Gallup, under the initiative of the United Nations) has ranked India at a lowly 117 out of 158 countries surveyed in the Happiness Index. Topping the list, predictably, is Switzerland, followed equally predictably by the Scandinavian nations, where up to nine months of dreary, sunless days and bitterly frigid weather fail to dampen the spirit of the natives.
But a bitter pill to swallow was to find Iraq and Palestine, with the ongoing wars, strife and occupation, and even neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh — both sharing India’s low standards in areas of poverty, illiteracy and unwieldy population levels — ranked above India. The people of these four countries are a lot happier than Indians. I have always been proud of my Indian roots and heritage. In recent years, however, I am saddened to see increasing instances of bigotry and intolerance of all that we do not agree with. We would have the world think of us as a people of high intellect, poised to become a political and economic superpower in the near future. It was therefore difficult to believe the report until I googled for more information. Not only was the report factually correct, but I was aghast when other damning reports came up before me.
Despite India’s huge economic potential, it ranks 119 out of 130 nations in the Global Business Resilience Index; in economic productivity, it is placed 115, because a third of its population still lives below the poverty line. India was ranked 102 among 132 countries on the Social Development Index based on the three factors of basic human needs, opportunities and foundation for well-being. It stood at 101 out of 133 in the Social Progress Index based on indicators like health, sanitation, water, personal freedom and other social and environmental factors. Even 67 years after independence, Indians still cannot take for granted a life with adequate supply of water and electricity and sanitation for all.
What were the factors that were taken into account in the Happiness Index and how did India fare in those parameters? Gross domestic product per capita as a measure of economic growth and prosperity is one factor and although this growth rate was positive, it does not necessarily translate into greater happiness since the economic base itself is low to begin with. India continues to be a poor country (albeit with a large chunk of the world’s richest people) where the majority is still struggling to rise above its present penurious economic level. It is not surprising that the world’s happiest countries are also among its richest.
A second significant factor is the social support system, offered by a welfare state, which India certainly is not: A pension system, free health care, job-oriented educational opportunities and access to decent housing. In my own city, I see low-income housing blocks built but either mostly unoccupied after years of their completion or occupied by middle or higher income groups that have acquired them as investments. Employment among the marginalised sections of society has seen only a negligible increase, which in turn has only a little effect on the well-being of the community.
The third factor is the freedom to make life choices. The precarious position of women in Indian society, the “honour killings” of young men and women for daring to cross caste and religious barriers, the gagging of the freedom of expression of writers, artists and filmmakers, forcing them to destroy their own works, surrender their creativity and keep away from participating in vibrant literary, musical and other cultural gatherings because their views are not in line with those of the self-styled cultural and moral police. I may add that this new intolerance, in total contravention of India’s Constitutional principles, has been escalating in recent years, for I do not recall such mindless biases when I was a teenager or even later.
Reports show that well-being and happiness are critical indicators of a nation’s economic and social development and it is encouraging that more and more governments are responding with policy changes that improve the quality of life of its citizens. In India, there continues to be a sense of dissatisfaction and resignation, that little will change, that nobody cares, that one must look out for oneself and sacrifice one’s ideals to get anywhere or anything done. What makes people happy are security, a meaningful and adequately-paying job, good health, strong relationships and that is what a caring government must work towards.
Vimala Madon is a freelance journalist based in Secunderabad, India.