Why India Must Prioritize Happiness Over GDP: A Sanghnomics Perspective:

India was ranked 118th out of 147 countries in the latest World Happiness Index—falling behind not only developed nations but also crisis-hit countries like Israel (8), Ukraine (111), and even Pakistan (109). Last year, India held the 126th spot.

The results sparked concerns, particularly among policy commentators and ideologues aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), about the validity of such global indices and the need for India to shift focus from GDP to well-being.

Concerns About Sampling and Credibility

A critical concern is the sample size used for the survey. For a country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the World Happiness Index relied on responses from only 3,086 individuals. In contrast, statistically valid surveys require much larger samples—typically 38 to 40 people per million residents, amounting to over 56,000 participants for a country like India.

Such a small and potentially unrepresentative sample questions the credibility of the ranking and calls for a localized happiness assessment framework.

The Case for Happiness in Policy Making

India Policy Foundation (IPF), a think tank inspired by the RSS, has called for integrating happiness into public policy. In its report titled “In Defence of Inclusion of Happiness in Public Policy for India”, authors VK Shrotriya and Shashank Vikram Pratap Singh proposed a structured approach for improving happiness levels across the nation:

Key Recommendations:

Go Beyond GDP: Policies should prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of citizens. Economic growth should follow public contentment, not precede it.

Create a National Happiness Index: A self-reported system of measuring happiness, similar to global practices, should be implemented for better domestic policy guidance.

Focus on Health and Education: Increased allocation to health and education can indirectly boost income and quality of life.

National Resolve to End Poverty: A unified effort, similar to the independence movement, is needed to eradicate poverty and hunger in India.

Agriculture Infrastructure: Projects like interlinking rivers can ensure consistent irrigation and reduce dependency on monsoons.

Tackle Corruption and Improve Governance: Although corruption has been curbed under the current administration, continued efforts are necessary to reinforce societal trust and peace.

Beyond Tangible Growth: A Call for Intangible Values

Economic growth alone does not ensure happiness. The report emphasizes that without strong intangible values like trust, community well-being, and fairness, development remains one-sided and unsustainable. India’s policies must evolve from measuring success solely in terms of GDP to prioritizing happiness and life quality for its citizens.