Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasized that happiness and sorrow are integral parts of human life, just like day and night. He stated that the primary duty of a welfare state is to bring prosperity to its citizens. “Our government is working in this direction, and the well-being of all is our ultimate objective,” he said.
Speaking at the two-day National Happiness Seminar organized by the Happiness Department at Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium, Yadav remarked that true happiness lies in the peace of mind, achieved through selflessness, sacrifice, penance, and devotion. “When the mind immerses itself in the divine presence of the Supreme, it attains real bliss,” he added. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the prosperity of Madhya Pradesh’s citizens, the Chief Minister said that his administration is dedicated to spreading joy in every individual’s life.
The event saw the participation of several dignitaries, including Mohan Nagar, Vice President (Minister of State Rank) of MP Jan Abhiyan Parishad; Swami Samarpanananda Ji from Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Kolkata; Prof. Rajneesh Arora, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University; Dr. N. Ravichandran, former Director of IIM Indore; Principal Secretary of the Happiness Department, Raghvendra Kumar Singh; CEO of the State Happiness Institute, Ashish Kumar Gupta, along with numerous intellectuals and happiness volunteers.
Chief Minister Yadav reiterated that ensuring joy, prosperity, and well-being in the lives of every citizen of Madhya Pradesh is his government’s top priority. “Through our welfare schemes, we are benefiting every section of society. The true success of governance lies in the happiness and satisfaction of the people,” he said. Yadav elaborated that both a mother, who finds joy in giving life despite hardship, and a monk, who attains immense spiritual bliss, embody the essence of true happiness.
He encouraged citizens to embrace life with joy, understanding that the Supreme Being has sent everyone to live in happiness. He urged people to adopt a positive outlook and contribute towards building a happy society. During the event, an MoU was signed between the State Happiness Institute, Bhopal, and MP Jan Abhiyan Parishad. The Chief Minister described this as more than a mere document exchange, calling it an ambitious initiative that brings together two ground-level institutions committed to spreading happiness.
Over the past year, the collaboration has impacted 24,310 lives, and over the last three years, it has reached 72,390 individuals. Swami Samarpanananda Ji emphasized gratitude towards nature and the Supreme. He encouraged people to uphold cultural traditions and awaken the divine qualities within themselves. “Serving humanity with a sincere heart brings true peace and joy,” he said while praising Madhya Pradesh’s pioneering initiative of establishing a Happiness Department. He also advised everyone to follow the five fundamental principles of life for greater happiness. Prof. Rajneesh Arora stated that happiness originates within but should reflect in one's character and actions. “Happiness exists everywhere—from individuals to the collective society—but one must learn to discover it,” he said.
Dr. N. Ravichandran highlighted that as society evolves, people seek happiness in various ways, and true peace comes from the contentment of the mind. He urged individuals to perform their duties and relationships with sincerity, as this is the real essence of joy. At the beginning of the seminar, Principal Secretary Raghvendra Kumar Singh outlined the objectives and framework of the two-day National Happiness Seminar, highlighting efforts to engage all sections of society. He emphasized that the department is continuously striving to bring happiness to the people of Madhya Pradesh through various initiatives.
The seminar also featured discussions among social workers and experts from various fields on innovative methods to enhance happiness in people’s lives.
