The goal of every human being is to be happy. While the meaning of happiness may differ from person to person, the search for it is lifelong, running alongside the journey of life. Yet, in this constant pursuit, we often overlook the simple, everyday joys that exist all around us.
Celebrated on March 20, the International Day of Happiness serves as a reminder that happiness is a fundamental human goal. It encourages people to prioritise mental well-being, kindness, and sustainable development over mere economic growth. This year’s theme, ‘Caring and Sharing’, highlights the importance of generosity, compassion, and the impact of social connections—including the role of social media—on mental health. People are encouraged to mark the day through acts of kindness, volunteering, spending time with loved ones, and practising gratitude. However, whether these actions guarantee happiness remains uncertain.
What is happiness?
What truly brings happiness? Is it wealth, success, recognition, family, or stability? The answer is far from simple. Happiness often depends on circumstances, needs, and emotional states, which are constantly changing.
“I myself am puzzled as to what makes me happy, because it is never constant,” says Anuradha Shetty, who runs a software firm from home. “When I am hungry, a fruit brings a smile to my face. When I am sad, I need a friend’s support. And when I am tired, nothing feels better than sleep. The same fruit may not make me happy if I am already full.” Her reflection underlines how happiness is deeply situational and personal.
Different experiences
Different people derive joy from different experiences. For some, adventure activities like bungee jumping may bring excitement and thrill, while others may find the same experience frightening. What delights one person may not appeal to another, reinforcing the idea that happiness is both relative and ever-changing.
A businessman from South Goa, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared a different perspective. Despite financial stability, a successful career, and a content family life, he admits to feeling a sense of emptiness. “I have everything I once wished for, yet something feels missing,” he says. “I even consulted a psychologist, who suggested that perhaps the lack of unfulfilled goals has created this feeling. When everything is achieved, what remains to strive for?” His experience highlights a deeper dimension of happiness—one that goes beyond material success.
Material world
Stripped of philosophical complexity, a clearer picture emerges: material possessions alone do not guarantee lasting happiness. A soldier may find fulfilment in serving the nation, a doctor in saving lives, and a mother in nurturing a child. These moments of meaning often bring a deeper and more enduring sense of satisfaction.
At the same time, happiness can also be found in the simplest of things—a sunrise or sunset, a gentle breeze, a favourite song, a good book, or an innocent smile. A conversation, a journey, or even a quiet moment of reflection can spark joy. While joy and happiness are often used interchangeably, both represent emotional states that are shaped by individual perception and experience.
Well-being & happiness
Ultimately, happiness is not just about momentary pleasure or outward expressions like smiling and laughter. It is closely tied to how one experiences life as a whole. Recognising this, the United Nations General Assembly has called for a more inclusive, equitable, and balanced approach to development—one that prioritises the well-being and happiness of people alongside economic progress.
International observances such as the International Day of Happiness serve not only to raise awareness but also to encourage individuals and societies to reflect on what truly matters. In the end, happiness may not have a single definition—but the pursuit of it remains universal.
Why celebrate
On 12 July 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 66/281, declaring 20 March as the International Day of Happiness. This decision acknowledged happiness and well-being as universal aspirations and emphasized their importance in shaping public policy.
The resolution also called for a more inclusive, equitable, and balanced approach to economic growth—one that supports sustainable development, eradicates poverty, and enhances the well-being of all people. Initiated by Bhutan, the measure reflects the country’s long-standing belief, dating back to the 1970s, that national progress should be measured by Gross National Happiness rather than Gross National Product.
