Madhya Pradesh government sets up 'Anand Vibhag' to ensure happiness

Bhopal: In the first of its kind move in the country, Madhya Pradesh government on Friday constituted “Anand Vibhag” to ensure “happiness in true sense in the lives of common people”. The state cabinet chaired by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan cleared the proposal to set up ‘Happiness Department’ that will coordinate among other departments and frame policies to increase level of happiness among its citizens,.

“The newly formed department will empanel experts to recommend measures to make people happy in true sense,” Mr Chouhan told reporters while briefing on deliberations in cabinet meet. Maintaining that “Happiness goes beyond the basic needs of roti, kapada aur makan (food, cloth and shelter), he said material pro-gress alone would not bring in happiness among the people. There is something more which can bring happiness in the lives of people, the chief minister  said.

A value-based development, spiritual progress and an overall sense of wellbeing of the people would rather lead them to a fulfilled and satisfied life. The department, currently headed by the chief minister himself, has been earmarked with an allocation of Rs 3.80 crore.