It is an indicator of whether measures taken by govt have made people happy
Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, in his address to the Goa Assembly on Monday, announced that the state government would take “a concrete step” towards understanding the happiness of the people living in the state by preparing a first-of-its-kind Happiness Index for Goa. This index, he said, will assess the well-being of residents across health, education, environment, culture, community life, etc.
He rightly said that true progress is measured not only by economic growth or infrastructure but by people’s happiness. “Happiness is not a luxury – it is the foundation of a thriving and resilient society.” The Governor also said that by embedding happiness at the base of the state’s Viksit Goa vision, the government aims to ensure that growth is inclusive, sustainable and connected to every resident’s well-being.
When every government boasts of always working for the welfare of the people and bringing in “massive” infrastructural development, a happiness index could be an indicator of whether all that is done has helped increase happiness levels. It is important that people are happy in any society.
Measuring and monitoring happiness is not new to Goa. We have said so in this column in the past. This was mentioned elaborately more than 15 years ago in the Goa Vision Document 2035, which was formulated by the Goa Golden Jubilee Development Council (GGJDC) headed by renowned scientist Raghunath Mashelkar. The council was constituted by the Digambar Kamat-led government in 2010 ahead of the golden jubilee of Goa’s Liberation.
The document said in 2012 that Goa will become Samruddha (affluent) by 2035. But will this affluence mean that Goans will be happy, it asked? Happiness is not a measure of growth; it is a measure of people’s feeling of well-being. Goa is celebrated as a land of natural beauty, of serenity, and as a land of happy people. “Our vision of development for Goa should surely aim to preserve this heritage,” the council said.
Happiness goes beyond satisfaction. According to the document, there are eight agreed general contributors to happiness: physical, mental and spiritual health; time balance; social and community vitality; cultural vitality; education; living standards; good governance; and ecological vitality. The council had proposed that Goa should become the first state in India to start the process of measuring and monitoring happiness, “sending a signal that Goa considers this to be the most critical socio-economic development indicator”. It also wished that Goa became not only the happiest state in India but in the world.
The vision document would have taken Goa forward if the government had implemented it. On the contrary, the document, which was prepared by top brains of Goa settled in the state and outside, was not given any importance.
On a visionary note, the document outlined the future of Goa as a cultured, balanced, serene, affluent, knowledgeable, well-governed and happy state, balancing tradition with modernity and focusing on sustainable development and improved quality of life. Internationally also, the happiness index includes not only modern infrastructure, quality health care and education but also good governance, where corruption is very low, sustainable development and harmonious living.
India ranks 118th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025. If the Goa government is serious about preparing a Happiness Index, it would do well to keep in mind that sustainable development, low corruption levels and harmonious living are as important as a high GDP. It should also study the suggestions made in the Goa Vision Document 2035.
