Chandigarh: “The concept of a welfare state is a noble one and it should also be all encompassing including in its fold the overall happiness, welfare, security and betterment of all the sections of society”.
Airing the views here today at the Punjab Raj Bhawan while launching the book “Ramrajya- the people’s welfare State” authored by Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer Jagmohan Singh Raju, the Governor of Punjab V.P. Singh Badnore emphasized on adopting Gross National Happiness Index for a Welfare State. He said that the welfare state should be evolved from being a mere concept to an ideology which must concentrate on various parameters like- general happiness, Health, Education for the sake of public welfare. He also said that one of the most significant aspects of the welfare state concept is calculating Gross National Happiness such as is being practiced in countries like-Bhutan.
On the occasion an interactive as well as the question and answer session was also held which was anchored by Sumita Mishra, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Haryana. Veteran Journalist and former Resident Editor the Indian Express Vipin Pubby was amongst the panelists.
Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Minister for Rural Development, Punjab, Justice Jatinder Chauhan , Author of the book Dr. Jagmohan Singh Raju Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, J.M.Balamurugan, Secretary to Governor Punjab and Anu Singh, Principal Commissioner, Income Tax.
The book launch was also attended by senior bureaucrats of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.