Happiness Index showing Pakistan better than India is nothing but a mind game - EAM Dr S Jaishankar takes a jab

Bengaluru: The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network has released a Happiness Index ranking country on happiness. India is ranked at 126th position and ironically, Pakistan, plagued by hunger and unemployment, ranks 108 ahead of India. Sri Lanka, with a troubled economy, is placed at 112th position, whereas Myanmar, under dictatorship, is ranked 117. The External Affairs Minister of India has taken a jab at the report by calling it a mind game.

While speaking at an event in Bangalore, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar strongly criticized and questioned the credibility of the data of the happiness index. Calling it a mind game, the Foreign Minister said such reports indicate an anti-India mentality and strategy. Indians bashed the happiness index on social media and accused it of being anti-India.

There are incidents of people who have died while standing in line to get wheat flour in Pakistan, while there are conflicts in getting food in some cities. There is no access to food despite the ability to pay. Journalists in Pakistan have reported the establishment to have collapsed. One dozen bananas are being sold for five hundred rupees; hence it is also called Banana republic. Such a country ranked higher on the happiness index over India seems ridiculous. Indians are strongly trolling the happiness index on social media.

The External Affairs Minister of India reiterated the opinion of Indians about the Happiness Index by calling it a mere mind game with an ill intention of an anti-India narrative. He said anyone who wants to experience happiness should come to Bangalore. He also cited his Singaporean friend, who mentioned that Indians are happier than most Europeans.

Dr. S Jaishankar reacted to the advice given to India of forgiving and forget. He said that what to forget and whom to forgive must be clarified. He questioned whether anyone could forget and forgive the terrorist attack in their city. He warned that not learning from the past and only forgiving and forgetting is dangerous for the future. Although explicitly, it seems that Dr Jaishankar was referencing Pakistan in his context.

As Pakistan is struggling and facing starvation, there has been a demand that India should support. Although Pakistan has not made any official appeal, the media and journalists are demanding India to step up and take the initiative to help Pakistan. At the same time, India is providing aid to other neighbours like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, excluding Pakistan. Dr Jaishankar said Pakistan is still unwilling to give up its anti-India operations. Hence India will not provide any help to Pakistan.

हिंदी मराठी