The first All India Happiness Report (AIHR)-2020, covering all states and union territories measuring happiness across the country, what contributes to people’s happiness, the impact of COVID-19 on happiness and insights from thought leaders released recently. The study is based on a nationwide survey covering 16,950 people between March and July 2020 by Professor Rajesh K Pillania. He is recognised for his extensive research, jointly ranked number one in average research productivity among management faculty (including IIMs & IITs ) in India between 1968 to 2014.
In the first-ever AIHR 2020, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have emerged in the top 10 happiest states in India. Mizoram has been ranked as the happiest state, followed by Punjab and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Among the larger states, Punjab, Gujarat and Telangana are among the top three states in happiness rankings, while Odisha, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh languish at the bottom.
COVID-19 had worst possible impacts on happiness: Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana have shown the worst possible impact of COVID-19 on happiness; Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir were neutral while Manipur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep have shown the best possible impact of COVID-19 on happiness.
The 10 states that scored poorly are Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Goa, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh with 27 to 36 ranks respectively.
The results of this study suggest that marital status, age group, education and earnings have a positive correlation with happiness. Married people are happier than unmarried people. Among the other factors, the report also focused on the impact of COVID-19 on happiness. Participants were asked to rate their current standing on the impact of COVID-19 on their happiness from the worst possible to the best possible from 1 to 5.
Based on calculated scores of work and related issues, Assam, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Punjab, and Puducherry are the top five. On relationships, Punjab, Karnataka, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Sikkim rank in the top five. Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Punjab, Mizoram, and Sikkim are the happiest on health-related matters. On philanthropy Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, and Karnataka are the top five. On religious or/and spiritual orientation, Sikkim, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tripura, and Ladakh are in the top five. The report states that in the future Happiness Ranking Report, Manipur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Gujarat are likely to top the ranking index.
The three key takeaways for governments, organisations, and individuals are, first, different states and union territories are at different levels of happiness rankings. There is a pressing need for more discussions, focus, and the application of happiness in the Indian context. Second, knowing is not enough, happiness needs to be practised. Third, choose and put into practice all or some or at least one of the insights from this report.
