Office of the Chief Minister, Government of Delhi
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi delivers keynote speech at Delhi govt’s first Happiness
If the country becomes happy, litigation will be over: CJI Ranjan Gogoi
Happiness Class should be introduced in judicial academies: CJI Ranjan Gogoi
Happiness not just another govt program; it’s building India’s future: CM Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi ready to provide wholehearted support to all states: CM Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi will start a Happiness Curriculum certificate course for those who want to replicate model: Dy CM Manish Sisodia
Delhi government’s first Happiness Education Conference today was graced by Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Shri Ranjan Gogoi, where he delivered the keynote address. The inaugural session was presided by Shri Anil Baijal, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Hon’ble Chief Minister and Shri. Manish Sisodia, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister were the Guests of Honor. The conference organised at the Talkatora stadium marked the culmination of a fortnight long “Happiness Utsav” across all 1024 schools of Delhi Government which commenced on 16th July 2019.
“I am very happy.. This is a great day, the first anniversary of something big and unique. 1024 schools, 8 lakh students, 45 minutes every day, learning to be happy,” said CJI Gogoi in his opening remarks. “As far as the children are concerned, I think this is a brilliant idea. Catch them young when they are still open. Teach them to be happy. Teach them the values,” he said.
‘If country is a happy lot, my problem of litigation will be over’
Commenting on the potential of the Happiness Curriculum, CJI Gogoi said, “As the chief justice of the country, I was thinking that if I have a happy lot of people in this country, my problem of litigation will be over. There will be no cases, because everybody will be happy. I’ve seriously thought about this, and I perhaps should share this with my colleagues, that we should perhaps have Happiness classes in our judicial academies also.”
Speaking about the need for such a program in the country, the chief justice said, “Without happiness, education can never be complete. There is a serious problem with the younger generation. They are a dejected lot, unhappy seeing what is happening around us. It’s very important that this curriculum is carried to its fullest extent, perhaps introduced in the schools all over the country. All I can say at the end of it is
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his gratitude to the Chief Justice for taking out time from his schedule. He said, “Today is a historic moment for our children, teachers, principals and parents because the Chief Justice of India is amidst us. We are all really grateful to him for taking the time to come here today, especially since today is the Supreme Court’s working day.”
Speaking about the Happiness Curriculum, the chief minister said, “The Happiness Curriculum is not just another government scheme. It’s a feeling that 8 lakh students of Delhi government schools experience every single day. Every parent is observing this change.”
The chief minister said that the future of the nation was being built in schools. He said, “I will not be here tomorrow. Perhaps even the CJI or the L-G will not be here tomorrow. But it is from these lakhs of children that a future chief minister of Delhi will emerge, the future CJI and the Lt Governor will emerge. Perhaps, even the Prime Minister will emerge from among these children. The future of our nation is being built in our schools. This is true nation building. Today, the country’s judiciary is seated inside this hall, the country’s executive is here, and so are legislators (pointing to the MLAs). Today I appeal to the judges of the country, the executives of the country and of Delhi, and the Legislature of Delhi, that we all need to come together in this festival, this effort that is building the nation.”
Offering Delhi’s support to all states on education reforms, CM Kejriwal said, “I want the miracle that is happening inside Delhi’s classes, to reach every corner of the country. Many Education Ministers and Education Secretaries and Officers have come from different states today. We want to assure you that when you implement this model in your own states, you will have our wholehearted support. We will send our teachers, principals, and in fact if you need it, we can lend you our Education Minister for a few days.”
Thanking the Lt Governor for his time, the chief minister said, “Our Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal Sahib is very busy, but he has given time today. In fact whenever we have come to him on the subject of education, he has provided full support.”
Dy CM Manish Sisodia announced, “We are working on a certificate course for those who want to start the Happiness Curriculum in different parts of the country and the world. We feel the need for this because India’s position on the World Happiness Index has dropped from 118th to 140th. Our dream is that India should reach Number one on this list.”
The Utsav followed by the conference was organized to celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of Happiness Curriculum in the schools of Delhi Government. The conference was attended by about 3000 teachers, principals and children of Delhi Government schools apart from 500 other distinguished guests from different parts of the country and world.
The conference was attended by participants from other states and countries as well. The Education Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Telangana apart from the Executive Councilor Education of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Advisor to the Government of Nagaland joined Shri. Manish Sisodia in a panel discussion. The expert in the field of Social Emotional and Ethical learning from Emory University and Institute of Happiness, Bhutan also participated in the conference apart from representatives of Fukuoka Prefectural Government, Japan.
The most significant event during the workshop was separate panel discussions among students, teachers and parents. The three key stakeholders of the Happiness Curriculum took the center stage and expressed their views on how this curriculum has made impact in their lives. Children explained how the practice of Mindful meditation has helped them in controlling their anxiety and anger. Teachers pointed out that the Happiness curriculum has not only helped them in engaging with their students more deeply but also in getting full attention of students in other subjects also. Parents have noticed a marked change in the behavior of their children where they now show more respect and care for other in their family.
The event has several takeaways for the school system as such. As Delhi rolls out the second year of Happiness Curriculum in Schools, there are many states that have shown interest in implementing this approach in their schools well. The conference created a platform and new opportunities for major learning reforms in the schools of the country.
