Itanagar, Feb 16 (ANI): Gross National Happiness (GNH) or happiness interwoven with balanced economic development was a concept introduced by Bhutan\u2019s King in 1972, as an alternative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), said Bhutan\u2019s National Assembly member Dupthob at the start of four-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh as the leader of a five-member team.
\nDupthob, the chairman of the National Assembly\u2019s Poverty Reduction Committee, conveyed this message to Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly Speaker Wanglin Lowangdong, Deputy Speaker Jomde Kena and other assembly officials on Thursday.
\nThe 33-year-old first timer parliamentarian, said GNH is one of the Million Development Goals (MDGs) of Asia\u2019s happiest nation that graduated to parliamentary democracy in 2008 on the insistence of Bhutan ‘s fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
\nThe GNH is based on four pillars \u2013 1) sustainable socio-economic development by taping hydropower and setting up of industries to enrich national coffer; 2) protect environment, forests and rivers (Constitution prescribes 60 percent of nation\u2019s total 38,394 square kilometre area to be under forests); 3) cultural protection and promotion of the religious-rich people of the world’s last Buddhist kingdom by protecting monasteries, promoting festivals and 4) good governance.
\nAgreeing with his view, Speaker Lowangdong said: \u201cThere is no denying the fact that every human being wants happiness. We, the nature and peace loving Arunchalees were much happier before materialism invaded tribal society. Many Arunchalees of late are suffering from blood pressure, diabetes and chronic disease is the best indicator.\u201d
\nBoth exchanged views on the parliamentary system of governance in Bhutan and in Arunachal Pradesh.
\nLowangdong lauded Bhutan for its spirit to protect its rich culture and environment, saying Arunachal Pradesh, particularly Tawang and West Kameng districts, have lot of cultural affinity with Bhutan .
\nDisclosing that after visiting Bihar, the team is here to study the democratic process and steps taken for poverty alleviation, Dupthb extended an invitation to Speaker Lowangdong to visit Bhutan soon.
\nAccepting the invitation, Lowangdong said: \u201cThe 60-member young Arunachal Assembly is a symbol of true democracy where decisions are taken in greater welfare of the people that too with the unanimous voice of the opposition.\u201d
\nThe tribal-dominated state has made rapid development strides, particularly after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited it on January 31, 2008 and announced a huge economic package, including the 1,554-km Trans-Arunachal Highway, being developed as an inter-district double-lane highway to speed up the process of socio-economic development of the land-locked state that had graduated to parliamentary democracy in 1975, Lowangdong added.
\nThe Bhutan team visited the assembly house, which includes Members Kinley Dorji, Ugen Tenzin and Choeki Wangmo (one of the four women of a total 47 members), besides officer Tenzing Namgey.
\nThe team, accompanied by state protocol officer Bandhana Deori and Papumpare Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu visited Chimpu, and attended an official dinner hosted by Finance, Planning and PWD Minister Chowna Mein in the evening.
\nThey are scheduled to visit Ziro tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n