Bhutan marked the International Day of Happiness today. A thousand butter lamps were lit at the Memorial Chorten in Thimphu. Senior government officials and representatives from the international organisations and the diplomatic community took part in the butter lamp offering ceremony.
The International Day of Happiness was declared after the UN with 193 members, unanimously, adopted Bhutan’s proposal of happiness for a holistic approach towards development in 2011.
The UN resolution recognises pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human goal.
In his message for the day, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said happiness may have different meanings for different people. However, everyone can agree that it means working to end conflict, poverty and other unfortunate conditions in which so many live.
Meanwhile, The workshop on Youth Ambassadors of Change on GNH in Action concluded with the celebration of the International Day of Happiness, today. About 500 youth from across the country attended the three-day workshop held at the YDF Hall in Thimphu.
The workshop was organised by the GNH Centre as part of its efforts to engage youth as ambassadors of change.
The GNH Centre’s Executive Director, Dr. Saamdu Chetri, said the workshop is to empower the youth with information and knowledge so that they can bring a change.
