When countries around the world are still engrossed in the race for the throne of economic status and political power, the small country of Bhutan is transforming according to the core value of life: Happiness.
Hiding in the clouds, leaning against the Himalayas, the small country of Bhutan seems to separate itself from the outside life but is admired by the whole world. Why? Because here, people all have a happy life as the intimate name for Bhutan: The country is rated as the happiest in the world.
With the country measuring the happiness of the people and using it as a criterion to evaluate the development of the nation, it is easy to understand why the people are always cheerful and happy. Whether life is still poor or not having a remarkable economy like many countries in the region and in the world, the people of Bhutan are always comfortable with what they have.
So what is the secret that has made such a country?
In many countries around the world, material values are always higher than spiritual values. We are happier when we buy the latest iPhone or buy ourselves a trendy outfit. Accompanying that happiness are financial pressures and many other worries.
However, in Bhutan, material values and spiritual values are always promoted to create the foundation for people’s happiness. They know what “enough” is and are always satisfied with what they have. Perhaps, people don’t care about having a new iPhone. Living in the world is already a joy for them.
In recent years, the GDP (gross domestic product) of Bhutan has increased significantly and is always among the top of the world. With many hydropower projects invested by India with huge revenues, Bhutan is developing its economy much faster than before.
In fact, such things make us dependent on technology: social media makes young people addicted and there is no time for outside life, TV keeps children glued to screens all day.. And in a way, we gradually drift away from the outside life with many beautiful things.
But for the people of Bhutan, real life is always better and they do not have to be too dependent on TV, internet or radio.
The environment is an important part of the Bhutanese people. Therefore, the country with 70% of the area covered by forests has 50% of the land area planned as national parks. Animals and forests are always strictly protected. Bhutan also said that in the near future, 60% of the national forest land will be protected from deforestation.
Buddhism is the main religion in Bhutan with teachings that promote selflessness, ease of forgiveness and empathy for people. The Bhutanese believe in cause and effect and therefore, they always aim for a good life, where people treat each other well and get along well.
The government of Bhutan measures people’s happiness and actually considers it an indicator of the country’s development. Instead of just using GDP, the country also included the GNH (Gross National Happiness). Perhaps, although it is not possible to bring happiness to everyone yet, being aware of happiness and measuring it will be the way to change the lives of Bhutanese people in the future in a more positive direction.
In Bhutan, the royal family and the people have a very close relationship. Every royal event was well received by the people. The King of Bhutan also regularly visits and visits the lives of the people.
During a foreign journalist’s trip to Bhutan, he noticed a young man playing baseball with children in a public field. Later, the journalist also joined the game and discovered something very surprising: the young man was a Bhutanese prince.
One of the great things about Bhutan is that the environment in this country is not too polluted. Even Bhutan is a country with negative greenhouse gas emissions. While Bhutan’s emissions are only about 2.2 million tons of CO2 per year, the primeval forests that cover most of the national fluid absorb more than 4 million tons of CO2 per year, surpassing many people can imagine.
According to national studies, about two-thirds of the Bhutanese population sleeps for eight hours a night. This is a significant number compared to many other countries in the world. Getting enough sleep brings good health to people and of course, ensuring good health makes people always happy and cheerful.
Although the country has developed and gradually opened up to the outside world, the people of Bhutan still respect and maintain many traditional values. When coming to this country, visitors can see people wearing traditional costumes on the road. They don’t wear it out of compulsion but out of national pride.
