Chandigarh, May 20—The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, has urged the people of the state to observe Sunday as no-criticism day, and asked the youth to focus on what they can do for the country instead of asking what the country can do for them.
Addressing about 10,000-strong gathering at the inauguration of Raahgiri, government’s people-administration connect initiative, in Kurukshetra district today, he said the country faced the challenge how to improve its abysmal world happiness ranking of 133 among 156 countries.
It is a matter of grave concern that almost all South Asian countries are way ahead of India in the annual report published by a UN body. Pakistan at 75, China at 86, Bhutan at 97, Bangladesh at 115 and Sri Lanka at 116 are way ahead of us. Among the 25 happiest countries in the world, Finland, Norway and Denmark are among the first three, US is eighteenth and Britain nineteenth.
Six variables used to calculate a country’s happiness index are income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity.
What is surprising, the Chief Minister said, is the fact that despite being one of the fastest growing economies of the world and having a life expectancy over 70 years, we are among the 25 unhappiest countries on the planet. The government is trying to create additional income and employment opportunities through its pro-people policies and programs, he added.
He said Sunday, in true sense, is FUN day – F standing for forgiveness, U for untying oneself, and N for no-criticism, at least one day in a week. He asked the people to stay positive and shun negativity in life. Events like Rahagiri are aimed at giving people recreational opportunities and celebrate the sense of togetherness.
He expressed happiness that starting from Gurugram a few years ago, Raahgiri is being organised by the administration in 13 districts and will soon be held in all other districts of the state.
To mark the occasion, the Chief Minister flagged off three km of the fun run and participated in malkhambh, boxing, volleyball and wresting games. He greeted yoga practitioners and appreciated paintings by school girls. Present on the occasion were Mr Krishan Bedi, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Local MLA, Subhash Sudha and other respectable persons of the society.