Education Minister inaugurates “Ānandam” – The Center for Happiness in IIM Jammu

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Education inaugurates “Ānandam: The Center for Happiness” at Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu.

About Anandam: The Centre of Happiness:

• The Centre for Happiness-Anandam established with the aim to help reduce the mental pressure of students and faculty. They undergo stress due to deadlines, coursework, and teaching load.
• Origin of Name: The Center for Happiness acquires name ‘Ānandam’ from Indian wisdom tradition. There the state of pure consciousness is anandam. Thus, it doesn’t only aim for happiness but also on knowing the truth, doing good, and enjoying the beauty around.
• Categories: The Centre has five broad categories — counseling, holistic wellness, elective courses on happiness development, research and leadership, faculty development.
• At the center, students and teachers will participate in regular physical exercises. Moreover, they will be able to practice breathing exercises such as prāṇāyāma and mindfulness and practice meditation and contemplation.

Additional Facts:

What is Gross National Happiness(GNH)?

• Firstly, Gross national happiness(GNH) is a term coined by the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s.
• Secondly, GNH measures economic and moral progress as an alternative to gross domestic product measurement in Bhutan.
• Thirdly the concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress. Thus, it gives equal importance to non-economic aspects of well being.
• Fourthly, in 2012, for the first time, the World Happiness Report was released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network based on Gross Happiness Index at a global level.

What is Happiness Curriculum?

• The Happiness curriculum launched by the Delhi government in 2018.
• The curriculum aims at increasing mental health awareness among school children from classes nursery to eighth in all government schools.
• Under the curriculum, students will attend Happiness Classes. In these classes, students participate in exercises such as storytelling, meditation, and question and answer sessions.

Source: PIB