CAN INDIA BECOME ONE AMONG THE HAPPIEST COUNTRIES?

Can India become one among the happiest countries in the world? Very few Indians might have asked this question ever. Before giving answer to this, one must find the negatives that prevent us from moving ahead at the possible pace towards happiness. Happiness of each individual is depending upon the knowledge pumped into,  upto the age of around twenty five. How to think, visualise, perceive, act and react are influenced by the knowledge acquired by this age. Right from the known period of history of India  the knowledge in some section of the society was never allowed to filter down to the lower strata of the society. Later when caste system was established all the knowledge were confined to the upper caste. During the British regime too things continued in the same way. After gaining independence we never tried to recast the educational system. It is still being continued in the same old pattern with no any set goal for people as a whole. Above all corruption is rampant in almost every field in the whole country. 

During the seven decades after independence though different governments have ruled the country, many progressive plans were introduced by the successive rulers, they all seem to have failed to set a goal for the people as a whole. While India is the most populated country, 4th strongest military in the world and with $3.46 trillion we are 5th in GDP behind USA, China, Japan and Germany, where our people rank in the world in earning, comfort, happiness and knowledge in the world is really below par. According to the IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2021), GDP (nominal) per capita of India for, 2021 is projected at $2,191 at current prices. India ranks 144th in GDP per capita in 194 economies of the world. India is at 33rd position in the list of Asian countries. This gives a clear picture of parity between the outlook of the government for the government and government for the people. 

Here comes another serious element that destroy the peace among the people and that is religions. India is among the countries that use religions for political advantages. Leave religions their own way. Concentrate on the people as a whole. Let the natural resources be accessible to every citizen; and  also the opportunities. Restructure the educational system. Do not harass people with unbearable taxes. Target the pci at a much higher rate alongwith every annual budget. People will certainly become happier.

K V George