A rule of the game of happiness stated as a philosophical expression in just four words, Don’t worry, be happy is attributed to the Indian mystic and sage Meher Baba (1894-1969). Like virtually all other rules of life prescribed by administration to the people at large for compliance, the aforementioned rule for happiness doesn’t seem to find favour with Indians in particular, barring rare exceptions among the land’s masses. On the other hand, the rules of the game of unhappiness, personalised as they are, don’t seem to have been written. Everyone in an unhappy state of mind, for whatever reason, if given an opportunity, can come up with his or her own cornucopia of the rules laying down the paved path for unhappiness. Between the two extreme points that one takes one’s mind to reach, namely happiness and unhappiness, it can be fascinating to be oscillating from one point to the other. Ever ordinary human being is a living example of this feature.

The diktat of avoiding worries in order to be happy is most often prescribed with disdain, unlike mercy, doesn’t seem to bless both the person at its giving end and the person at the receiving end. Even Ramana Maharshi and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, both known to be in a state of blissful happiness, were perceived by many as abnormal persons. Thus, to be found happy always can be abnormal.

To feel satisfied in life and to be happy all the time are complementary, as typical senior citizens of Mysuru, marked by their simplicity in life and mature outlook have been known to exemplify, in total contrast to the restive nature of present generation, mostly disfavouring hard work, barring exceptions. A major share of the blame for causing unrest in society has to be owned by the flock of politicos focussed on building personal wealth carved out of public funds needed for safeguarding people’s well-being.

The multi-column headlines in large font and reports with graphic details of goings on across the nation carried by dailies of all hues mirror the unhappy ambience in the country worsening day after day. The latest World Happiness Report released by the United Nations has awarded a low rank to India at 133 out of 153 countries included in the study. People of India, currently doing well in many sectors of its economy, can also take the country on the Happiness Highway with grit.