India Should Aspire to Become Global Power of Happiness: President Mukherjee

File image of President Pranab Mukherjee. (Image: PTI)

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday underscored the need for India to be a global powerhouse, not just in terms of economic parameters but also ‘Gross National Happiness’ (GNH).

“If we aspire to be one of the leading economic powers of the world — yes, we can be — but merely in statistical terms, in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), in terms of skill, is not adequate,” Mukherjee said after laying the foundation stone for the Bengaluru Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics.

The president said the concept of development has changed now and international organisations like the World Bank and IMF too are talking about development in terms of GDP as well as GNH.

“Along with the GDP, GNH is considered as one of the important factors of development,” Mukherjee emphasised. He expressed concern over unemployability of the youth in India, saying “600 million youth are entering the job market, but their employability is not adequate”.

“They are educated, but not employable. Their employability is not up to the global standard,” he said. Mukherjee observed that skill development may not appear glamorous but is most important in the Indian context.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union ministers Ananth Kumar and D.V. Sadananda Gowda, and Governor Vajubhai Vala were present at the event, along with state higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddi along with other academicians.