Sunday, May 16, 2010

IS HAPPINESS THE KEY OF GROWTH ????



I was just thinking that what topic I should choose to write my next blog. While struggling with my own thoughts just decided to cover something different from my previous blogs.

So I decided to right something on Human Happiness Index. Now let me tell you what exactly Human happiness index is, it also known as happy planet index.

As we know the economic growth of any country is greatly depend on the rate of their GDP (Gross domestic product) but today scene is completely changed. Now not only GDP but also the HPI of a country depicts the economic growth of any country.

In an age of uncertainty, society globally needs a new compass to set it on a path of real progress. The Happy Planet Index (HPI) provides that compass by measuring what truly matters to us – our well-being in terms of long, happy and meaningful lives – and what matters to the planet – our rate of resource consumption. The HPI is an inventive measure that shows the ecological efficiency with which human well-being is delivered around the world. It is the first ever index to combine environmental impact with well-being to measure the environmental efficiency with which country by country, people live long and happy lives.

The Index doesn’t reveal the ‘happiest’ country in the world. It shows the relative efficiency with which nations convert the planet’s natural resources into long and happy lives for their citizens. The nations that top the Index aren’t the happiest places in the world, but the nations that score well show that achieving, long, happy lives without over-stretching the planet’s resources is possible.

The HPI shows that around the world, high levels of resource consumption do not reliably produce high levels of well-being, and that it is possible to produce high well-being without excessive consumption of the Earth’s resources. It also reveals that there are different routes to achieving comparable levels of well-being. The model followed by the West can provide widespread longevity and variable life satisfaction, but it does so only at a vast and ultimately counter-productive cost in terms of resource consumption.

HPI 2.0 has been calculated with new improved data sets for 143 countries, covering 99 per cent of the world’s population. Scores range from 0 to 100 – with high scores only achievable by meeting all three targets embodied in the index – high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint.

The results turn our idea of progress on its head. Whilst the HPI confirms that the countries where people enjoy the happiest and healthiest lives are mostly richer developed countries, it shows the unsustainable ecological price we pay. It also reveals some notable exceptions – less wealthy countries, with significantly smaller ecological footprints per head, having high levels of life expectancy and life satisfaction. In other words, it shows that a good life is possible without costing the Earth.

INDEX SHOWING HPI RATING

Rank

Country

HPI

1

Costa Rica

76.1

2

Dominican Republic

71.8

3

Jamaica

70.1

4

Guatemala

68.4

5

Vietnam

66.5

35

India

53.0

143

Zimbabwe

16.6


Now the question is that are we wisely using our resources. Are we wise enough in proper consumption of the resources available? Our we really happy enough because we are standing on 35th position in the index and the countries like Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Vietnam, Colombia are far ahead from us in the index. The result of this index was much unexpected and we are not holding very good position in HPI.

So we should make some sincere efforts for the economic growth of our country so as to achieve good HPI rating.

17 comments:

  1. hi dear
    Another nice and informative blog ....
    u have covered a very nice topic. i was not knowing about this index before.Can u please provide me with the reference of this index as may be becoz of the shortage of space u didnt mention the name of all countries.

    Anyways its a wondeful blog to gain knowledge
    keep writing
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. good evening akash

    I like ur blog its very enlightening and knowledgeable blog.It will be very useful for readers to know this fact about HPI index. Really you have put very nice efforts
    very well done dear

    But its very disappointing to know that India is on number 35.I hope that u can make up to at least on top ten soon
    keep writing dear

    ReplyDelete
  3. kya baat hey sir jee
    Excellent Blog u have done a fantastic job
    i loved it and alot for enhancing my knowledge sir
    As i was totally unaware of the term

    Keep up the good work sir

    ReplyDelete
  4. hello Akash
    another good and truly informative blog from side. happiness is really the thing what people are missing in todays' scenario...........
    nice topic to elaborate
    thanksssssssss

    ReplyDelete
  5. @ sweety

    ya sweety i m also not happy by seeing india at the 35th rank
    hope it will be among top 5
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. good morning akash
    Human happiness index is such a wonderful topic to read
    u have written it nicely and i appreciate it as it is useful for us
    well done brother

    ReplyDelete
  7. nice work buddy
    very knowledge enhancing blog
    keep writing
    good luck

    ReplyDelete
  8. heyyyy nice topic dear
    gudd workkk

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. nice blog to write for......
    thanx for enhancing the knowledge....

    gud work
    keep writing

    ReplyDelete
  11. hi Akash,

    Nice topic yr and I think there is need to do something to increase the level of HPI.
    you have put nice efforts to write your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. nice efforts sir

    u have chosen a good topic it was quite interesting ..... i enjoyed reading ur blogs

    keep writing and keep giving more good information
    best of luck :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. thanks alot every one for appreciating my blog
    i was very motivating for me that u people are reading and liking my blog as well..... it
    inspires me to right more
    thanks alot

    ReplyDelete
  14. @ shweta
    dear i will mail u the whole data which is having the name of all 143 countries
    as it was not possible to mention the name of all 143 countries here
    but i will provide u with details
    thanks for reading

    ReplyDelete
  15. @ sweety
    yaa dear i was quite d disappointing for all of us to see India at 35 position
    but we will surely make up soon

    thanks alot for appreciating my blog

    ReplyDelete
  16. hello sir,

    nice n knowledgeable topic is choosen
    nicely written
    keep going

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Akash,

    I enjoyed reading your blog a lot. Keep it up!!

    Regards,
    Ankit

    ReplyDelete