Bhutan is small landlocked country in Eastern Himalayas having a GDP of merely 2 billion USD with population of around 700,000. Headed by a king, they also have a democratic system in place. This is a country where the king mingles with commoners. The prince plays with local boys. People here truly represent the philosophy of “simple living, high thinking”. Bhutan is a small country with big dreams. Here are few pictures of this paradise on earth after which we will know the interesting part about this country.

Beautiful Architecture

Human settlement and nature go hand in hand

A tourism heaven

They have preserved their rich culture and most wear traditional dresses. Men wear Gho and women wear Kira.

Happiness all around

Bhutan is ruled by kings and they have to retire at the age of 65. Their king “imposed” constitution on them (people never asked for it). Included in the constitution are even provisions which people can use to impeach the king. Such transparency shows that there is a part of world which believes in goodness of humanity.

Gross National Happiness

Bhutan adopts holistic approach to development called “Gross National Happiness” which balances economic growth, social development, environment sustainability and cultural preservation. Here, the education is completely free for all children and if they work hard college is also free. Medical consultation, treatment and medicines are taken care of by the government. They do this by careful use of limited available resources.

“Gross National Happiness is more important than gross national product” - His majesty the fourth King of Bhutan

Bhutan Is Carbon Negative

72% of Bhutan is covered by forest. Their constitution makes it mandatory to keep 60% of land in Bhutan under forest cover. The country produces 2.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and its forest can sink four times of that amount. Thus, Bhutan is net carbon sink. They also produce clean hydroelectric electricity which they export offsetting around 6 million tonnes of carbon. This makes Bhutan a carbon negative country which is a fantastic achievement for an under developed country. Bhutan has promised and is committed to always remain carbon neutral. In the era where most countries are in the race to produce more carbon footprint a country like Bhutan gives us hope.

Think about it, an under-developed country having such audacious goals. In his famous management book called “Built to Last”, Jim Collins presents a finding that most great companies have BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). Here we have a great nation which displays similar characteristic.

“Bhutan surely seems to be BUILT TO LAST. “

I was researching to find why it is mentioned at lot of places in internet that Bhutan is one of the happiest countries in the world and I came across an article by Eric Weiner. While travelling he went to a doctor in Bhutan and was advised to think about death once a day. He says that Bhutanese people think of death around five times a day. How is that relevant you ask?

Well, think about it. We live in a word where we hate sadness. We run after happiness and fear sadness. That makes us even sadder. We try to medicate sadness. We try to get rid of it. In Bhutan people experience fear or sadness but they don't flee from these emotions. In Bhutan there's an acceptance. It's part of their life. The major religion here is Buddhism. All this makes people in this part happier. You can read further about this here http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=6646

I am sharing a nice essay by Lukas Canan. If you want to know more about Bhutan you may read it here, https://www.oneworldeducation.org/sites/default/files/lukascananref.pdf

Also, please watch this wonderful and inspiring TED talk by prime minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay.

IT IS A MUST WATCH.

P. S. – You feedback is most welcome in the form of comments.