Nepali Happiness

It is the intrinsic nature of human beings to pursue happiness in their life. All people's efforts, struggles and passions are geared towards the ultimate joy of life. It is a fundamental element that drives them to work hard, chase their dreams and reach the peak of success. Pains and pleasures are two facets of life but every pain is for achieving happiness that spurs positive thinking and boosts confidence. It is essential for the overall well-being of humans. In today’s competitive world, happiness is an antidote to stress and depression. It lifts the spirit and enhances the mental and physical health of people. It has many health benefits. It keeps diseases at bay by enhancing the immune system and reducing blood pressure and maintaining blood sugar levels. Humans are subject to undue pressure and it is happiness that enables them to cope with challenges and stress. Emotional and career growth and relationship building are important in life, and happiness helps attain them.

The concept of happiness lacks a concrete definition. It is complex and subjective. The experiences of happiness vary from one individual to another.  It is sometimes linked to individual nature. A poor person feels happiness even in adversities.  A rich person may not be happy even in abundance and luxuries. Failure to balance life leads to utter disappointment. The unrealistic hankering after happiness causes frustration. While striving for happiness, one must not forget a famous saying: life is not a bed of roses. It is also full of thorns. Understanding the dualism of life is a must to attain happiness and live it to the fullest. Albert Einstein has rightly said: "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." 

The other day, the world marked the International Day of Happiness, with a variety of functions. Established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012, the Day sheds light on the importance of happiness in the lives of people. On the occasion, the UN made public the 2025 World Happiness Index, disclosing the happiness status of 147 countries and territories. The global barometer assesses the quality of life on a scale from zero to 10, examining factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, perceptions of corruption, and others. And there is good news for Nepal – it has slightly improved the happiness index, securing 92nd position among the countries included in the index. Last year, Nepal ranked 93rd but in 2023, its position was better at 78th. 

Nonetheless, Nepal is far ahead of its South Asian neighbours – India (118), Pakistan (109), Sri Lanka (133), and Bangladesh (134). Bhutan and the Maldives are not on this year's happiness list. At the global level, the Nordic countries have continued to make it to the top spots. Finland has become the world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row, while Denmark stands in the second place, Iceland at third, Sweden fourth, and Norway at 7th. It is interesting to note that no amount of trouble has snatched smiles from the faces of Nepalis. Over the decades, Nepal has made strides in economic, social and cultural spheres. Still, poverty, inflation, corruption and instability have plagued Nepali society despite having a progressive constitution and political system. The qualities of tolerance, resilience, perseverance and optimism have enabled Nepalis to buck up amid the economic hardships.