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From 2016 World Happiness Day is observed on 20th March every year. In July 2011the UN General Assembly adopted resolution no. 65/309 Happiness: Towards a Holistic Definition of Development inviting member countries to measure happiness level of their people and to use the data to help to formulate public policy. The first World Happiness Report was published on 1st April, 2012 On 2nd April, 2012 this was followed by the first UN High Level Meeting named Wellbeing and Happiness: Defining a New Economic Paradigm. The 2nd and 3rd reports were published in 2013and 2015. Since 2016 it has been being published annually on 20th March which coincides with the UN’s International Day of Happiness but what is happiness?
Defining happiness is difficult. Scriptures, poets and philosophers have given many definitions of happiness but no definition is complete. In fact, happiness depends on time, place and person. Aristotle has written - “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” We can remember that short poem Moho (infatuation) by Rabindranath Tagore where both the sides of a river sigh that the other side contains all happiness.
15 West European countries, followed by Israel, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada are reportedly the 20 happiest countries in the world (Forbes, 18th May, 2022). These countries are naturally rich and except Israel these countries are the places of dream to people of all under-developed and developing countries of the world. Thousands of people are rushing to migrate to these reportedly happy countries everyday but Covid-19 pandemic has exposed a different picture to us.
Rate of death during pandemic was below 2 per cent in poor and under-developed countries which is much lower than the mortality rate of rich countries. From experience of pandemic it is difficult to undermine a new idea. Financially and socially backward people, who did not get any opportunity to live in healthy environment, those who struggled in hostile circumstances and could not spend a single comfortable day, have been able to cope with pandemic efficiently. However, this is not a matter proved through any mathematical theorem or scientific research but many health experts believe that such people are more capable of fighting the virus. Results of some studies have already been published. If the world is roughly divided into two parts i.e. rich and poor, it will be clear that death rate in rich countries was much higher than in poor countries. In spite of alleged defects in statistics of poor countries the factual position will remain.
One thing we have gained from experience of pandemic. Luxurious living as a result of economic development, long-term inexperience of unfavourable environment related to health, not spending time in open air or under the sun - all these things have ruined the natural resilience of high -earning people. According to the National Health Survey, 2016 many people in India suffer from respiratory diseases every year but mortality rate is quite low. Situation in our country is not much different. The ability to block an unknown virus was discussed long ago in the journal Nature. Out of some places America was identified. Effect of outbreak of pandemic in rural areas was not so terrible as in cities. In health science it is difficult to establish that two and two make four. Official statistics may be questioned but again it is to be admitted that death rate in pandemic was not above 2 per cent against much higher in rich countries.
A report (28-02-2022) of The Anandabazar informs that many Covid-19 patients were treated in a small hospital in an old age home of Ramakrishna Mission in Venaras.. Surprisingly, infection and subsequent mortality was zero. Naturally, comparison between old age homes which have been demolished in different countries of Europe and this home in Venaras becomes relevant. Some experts have said that open sunny space of the mission and fighting power of the poor people of Uttarpradesh can’t be underestimated.
Has the habit of taking lots of medicines for minor diseases made the affluent people weak? Haas the lack of money to buy medicine become a boon for the poor in some cases? These questions are unavoidable. Google Doctor informs that many drugs have terrible side effects. It is undeniable that people have gained ability to cope with many incurable diseases with the help of health sciences. But the poisonous and toxic effect of tendency to swallow medicines, if they have money in pocket, is not discussed much. Evidence-based research shows that in an effort to sell new drugs pharmaceutical companies start describing the demerits of their earlier products particularly when patent rights of old drugs expire. May be new drugs are almost similar to or at best 10 per cent to 15 per cent better that the earlier ones but those are sold at much higher price, sometimes double. Side effects may be dangerous but hiding it people are fed those without hesitation. Buying some antibiotics alongwith daily necessities like vegetables, spices, fish and meat is a long-standing habit of the affluent.
Happiness and health are directly related. Health is wealth or health is the root of happiness is a very old and undeniable saying. Every time we feel it. Reality shows that effect of Covid-19 was lower among those working outside air-conditioned environment. Physicians have repeatedly narrated the benefits of spending time in open environment. During our university days (1976-82) there was no fan in our rooms in halls and classrooms. Yet, in scorching heat of Rajshahi, we had to continue our studies. Calculation will come out one day what damages AC machines are doing to us. Continuous construction of multi-storied buildings are obscuring the sun. Urban children have no place to run. However, children of rural areas still have some
places to play.
According to statistics (13th February, 2023) of The World Health Organisation number of death during pandemic is 29,445 (1,45 per cent, out of 20,37,871confirmed cases) in Bangladesh against 1,123,836 deaths (1.07 per cent, out of 105,599,065 confirmed cases). If per capita income (Bangladesh - $ 2457 and The USA - $ 70248 according to World Bank)) is taken for an index of development, The USA is 28.59 times more developed than Bangladesh. Death rate in Bangladesh was supposed to be more than 41 per cent but that has not happened. So, Bangladesh and other third world countries are to some extent ahead of the developed world. Certainly the developed countries will not follow us in search of happiness but amid hundreds of problems this is also a place of pleasure.
Happiness is always a walking shadow. Like poor players human beings are always running after it but it remains beyond reach. Moreover, it leaves a questions to us – Happiness, where do you reside, what’s your price?
The writer is a former Commissioner of Taxes. He can be contacted at chinmayprasunbiswas@yahoo.com
