Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR)
Volume: 03 Issue: 01 June 2014,Pages No.16-19
Gross National Happiness Index of GCBS
Students of Bhutan
N. Suresh1, T. Antony Alphonnse Ligori2, Aditya Banerjee3, Praan Kumar Kaul4
1
Senior Lecturer, GCBS, 2Lectuer, GCBS, 3Lecturer GCBS, 4Senior Lecturer GCBS
Loyola College, Chennai
Abstract-The present study attempts to quantify GNH and
create GNH Index of students of Gaeddu College of Business
studies,Gedu. The study focuses on developing the GNH
index and also understanding of demographic pattern of GNH
level of students of the college. Data was collected from a total
of 679 students of the college taken randomly. Results revealed
that students are most happy on cultural domain and least
happy on time use domain of the GNH. Analysis of
demographic pattern showed that the female is happier than
male counterpart, students of final year leads in happiness and
Haa and Zhemgang Dzonghaks students are the happiest. Thus,
the study gives a perspective of the college climate in relation
to happiness level of the students in the campus.
Keywords: Happiness, GNH, Education, GCBS students.
I. INTRODUCTION
The national happiness model is built around some numerical
measure of an individual happiness. A pilot study is proposed
to trial a measure of individual happiness of students and
begins to explore the nature of happiness around student
community. Happiness is both means and end in itself. Hence
enhancement in GNH must contribute to enhancement in
individual well-being. The attainment of true knowledge and
wisdom for the benefit of all beings is the ultimate goal of
Buddhist and Shambhala paths. The Royal Government of
Bhutan in 2005 made the decision to develop GNH indicators
in order to move the concept of GNH from the point of
academic discourse to a measurable one. CBS (Centre for
Bhutan Studies) has developed screening questions covering
nine domains of GNH. Therefore, all policies and projects
have to pass through these questions in order to test their
applicability in enhancing the values of GNH. In 2008, Bhutan
adopted the GNH index with the aim of establishing values,
setting benchmarks and tracking policies and performances of
the country. The indicators include nine core dimensions:
psychological wellbeing, time use, community vitality, culture,
health, education, (Ecology) environment diversity, living
standards and governance. The Gross National Happiness
index provides us to reflect on the happiness and general well-
being of the Bhutanese Society at large. The nine domains of
GNH are among the essential parameters to be considered for
quantifying happiness and well-being from the Bhutanese
context.
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International Journal of Business Intelligent
ISSN: 2278-2400
Concepts and Meaning: Nine Domains of GNH
1. Psychological Well-being
2. Time Use
3. Community Vitality
4. Culture Diversity & Resilience
5. Health
6. Education
7. Ecological Diversity and Resilience
8. Standard of living
9. Good Governance
Psychological Well-being
Psychological well-being refers to how people evaluate their
lives. In this paper, psychological well-being is defined in
terms of internal experience of the respondents and their own
perception of their lives relating it to Gross National
Happiness. The fundamental idea of human development is
that wellbeing is a crucial parameter of development and that
the individual is the bases of every level of this development 1.
Health
The greatest endeavor of any nation is to promote health and
happiness to its citizens. Health in its broadest conception is
the indispensable doorstep to the deeper aspects of Happiness
[2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines “health”
as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The
Bhutanese citizens believe that happiness is the result of good
health. The current literature on health in Bhutan in relation to
the Gross National Happiness Survey conducted by the Centre
of Bhutan Studies has been reviewed.
Education
Education contributes to the knowledge, values, creativity,
skills, human capital, and civic sensibility of citizens. The
educational system must support our younger generation to be
compassionate towards each other. One of the pillars of Gross
National Happiness is education. Education plays a vital role
in promoting human values so that the youth will become
deeply committed to increasing GNH index [1]. The true
education must be directed towards the full development of
human capacity. It must encourage students to express their
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Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR)
innate wholeness, strength their kindness and ability to help
others and stimulate them to participate in the evolution
of humane and decent society. The entire educational
curriculum system of Bhutan needs to be infused with the
GNH ethos [3].
Culture Diversity & Resilience
Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely
remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the
world until the early 1960s. One of the main attractions for
tourists is the country's culture and traditions. Bhutanese
tradition is deeply steeped in its Buddhist heritage.
Maintenance of cultural traditions has been one of Bhutan’s
primary policy goals, as traditions and cultural diversity
contributes to identity, values, and creativity. The domain of
culture focuses on the diversity and strength of cultural
traditions. Developing cultural resilience is also given
importance, which can be understood as the culture’s capacity
to maintain and develop cultural identity, knowledge and
practices, and able to overcome challenges and difficulties
from other norms and ideals.
Good Governance
Good governance is characterized by the pursuit of integrity,
efficiency, accountability and transparency as well as the
people’s participation in the decision-making process [4].
“Good governance” is a relatively new term that is often used
to describe the desired objective of a nation-state’s political
development. The principles of good governance, however, are
not new. These are the major characteristics of good
governance as Outlined by the United Nations. The World
Leaders at the 2005 World Summit concluded that good
governance is integral to economic growth, the eradication of
poverty and hunger, and sustainable development.
Community Vitality
Community vitality is of a great concern towards the well-
being of people in the rural areas. The ability of a community
is to sustain itself into the future as well as provide
opportunities for its people to pursue their own life goals and
the ability to experience positive life outcomes and realize
positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes [5].
Community Vitality is a way of looking at and thinking about
communities, and here, rural communities in particular.
Ecological Diversity & Resilience
Bhutan has the potential to explore its natural resources
without disturbing the ecological balance, and look forward to
be a self reliant economy meeting its need in terms of demand
and supply.
Living Standard
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International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 03 Issue: 01 June 2014,Pages No.16-19
ISSN: 2278-2400
The standard of living rests upon the four pillars of GNH.
They are economic growth and development, environment
protection and sustainable development, preservation and
promotion of cultural heritage, and good governance. The
moral values and freedom of an individual by education
besides basic necessities are needed to improve the quality of
life [6].
Time Use
Time is precious and a valuable resource to every human
being. Time can be managed in different ways. Time never
waits for a man so utilize the time for constructive purpose
without wasting it. The way people spend their time depends
on their values, norms and behavior. The quality of the time
spent is very important As Marshal declared, "Although nature
is subject to decreasing returns man is subject to increasing
returns [7]. Knowledge is our most powerful engine of
production. It enables us to subdue nature and satisfy our
wants". One way of improving the abilities and skills of people
is to help them understand time, its value and effective use.
Time management should be institutionalized through learning
organizations. The world is transitioning from an economy-
based manufacturing and natural resources to one that is more
on information and knowledge. Time is the key of success in
our modern life. Time management refers to techniques that
enable people to get more done in less time with better results.
Methodology
The present study exploratory and is based on cross-sectional
design. Primary research method is used to collect the required
information to fulfill objective of the study.
Sample and Procedures
The target population of this study was management students
of Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Royal University of
Bhutan, Bhutan. Data were collected using a standard
questionnaire from a total of 679 students which are
approximately 60 percent of the total students studying in the
college. Data were collected during class time with the prior
permission of respective teachers from different semesters and
sections. Respondents consist of both male (55 percent) and
female (45 percent) and taken randomly. Other demographic
information such as programmes, semester, Dzongkhag
(district) etc. was also taken. All the necessary information
regarding the study and ways to respond on questionnaire was
shared with all respondents. Respondents were assured of
confidentiality of their responses and were told that their
responses shall be used for the research purpose only.
Measures
In order to measures the index, researchers developped a nine –
item questionnaire covering all the nine areas / domains of
GNH: Psychological Well-being, Time Use, Community
Vitality, Culture Diversity & Resilience, Health, Education,
Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR)
Ecological Diversity and Resilience, Standard of living and
Good Governance. Responses were taken in 5-point scale
ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Reliability of the scale was found to be 0.755 on the present
sample. In addition, respondent’s demographic data were also
taken.
Results and Analysis
As the objective is to create GNH index of the target
population, data were analyzed using percentage method.
Gross National Happiness Index of GCBS Students
(Domain-wise)
Above figure shows GNH level varies from 91.25 percent to
66.04 percent. Students of the college are happiest in cultural
domain of the GNH. Students believe that the Buddhist culture
(91.25 percent) and values are good and they really like it.
After culture is the happiness with the ecological diversity and
resilience domain of the GNH. 90.25 percent students believe
that country’s ecological diversity is necessary and it must be
preserved. Probably students think that preserving the
ecological diversity creates an identity for the country.
Happiness Index of Male and Female (Gender-wise)
Above figure shows the gender wise happiness index where the
female students of GCBS are happier than the male.
Happiness Index of GCBS Students (Semester-wise)
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International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 03 Issue: 01 June 2014,Pages No.16-19
ISSN: 2278-2400
However students of the college are least happy with the “time
use” and “good governance” domains of the GNH. College
students are poor in time management (66.04 percent). They
are unable to utilize their time in an appropriate way. College
students seem to be not very happy (67.04 percent) on the good
governance domain of the GNH. As there are growing number
of graduates in the country, government can look forward for
creating further avenues of employment. GNH Index of
GCBS Students (Dzongkhag-wise)
Above figure shows GNH level varies from 76.3 percent to 83.
46 percent Dzongkhag wise. Students from Haa Dzongkhag
(83.46 percent) are happiest followed by students from
Zhemgang (82.54 percent). Students from Gasa (76.3 percent)
are least happy in GCBS, Gedu.
Above figure shows the semester wise happiness index where
the eighth semester students are happier than the other
semester students.
Conclusion:
The aim of the study is to find the overall GNH index of
students of GCBS which was arrived at 79.81 percent which
shows that majority of the students are happy on all domains of
the GNH. Also in this study, the index by Dzongkhag-wise,
Gender-wise and semester-wise were found out. Students from
Haa Dzongkha seem to be the happiest, female students have
Integrated Intelligent Research(IIR) International Journal of Business Intelligent
Volume: 03 Issue: 01 June 2014,Pages No.16-19
ISSN: 2278-2400
been found to be happier and students of the eight semesters
are happy compared to students of other semesters.
Since the present study has been confined only to the students
of GCBS with limited number of questions framed in the
questionnaire covering the nine domains of Gross National
Happiness, there is a scope to explore further in detail to have
better understanding of GNH index.

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