It may be recalled that sometime back Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that he had decided to constitute a new department which will be known as 'Happiness Department'. In a message issued on January 14, Chouhan claimed that Madhya Pradesh is the first state of the country which has constituted 'Happiness Department'. Under the auspicious of this department a week long programme has been launched.
'Sankranti day' was chosen to launched the programme.

The state government claims that MP became the first state in the country where such a programme was launched. Under the programme, places have been identified in each district where citizens can donate whatever they want for needy people.

The Anandotsav will be celebrated across the state till January 21, during which activities like traditional games, dance and music are being organised. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to constitute the happiness department. Anand Sabhas will be organised to bring positive approach in people's life. Students will be taught how to live a stress-free life. Moreover, lessons related to make life joyful and meaningful will be included in the school syllabus, said CM Chouhan.

'The lessons will help students adopt a positive approach and inculcate values among them for helping and taking care of needy people. Anand Sabhas will also be organised in schools,' he added. Chouhan has appealed to the citizens to get them registered as volunteers, who will be called Anandak. They will be imparted training to play an important role in publicising the Anandam programme.

Chouhan said that anyone, who wishes to make other people happy, can visit website www.anandsansthanmp.in to become an Anandak volunteer. NGOs, government employees, cultural and business organisations can participate in the programme.

Chouhan appealed to citizens to give away their belongings, which they have in excess, to needy people. Such items could be clothes, blankets, books, utensils, furniture or other material.

The overall programme will be supervised by the Anand Department. Day to day programme will be conducted by a specially registered autonomous organisation. The main focus of the Anand Department is the rural areas. The present programme was launched on January 14 and will continue till January 21. Panchayat is the unit in which these programmes will be held. The emphasis is to project local culture during the week long programme.

The week-long programme will include folk music, dance, singing of songs and bhajans, kirtan, staging of drama, various local games like kabaddis, kho-kho. Programme has been chalked out in such a manner which gives opportunity to persons belonging to all the age groups. The collector of the district was asked to prepare week-long programme. He will appoint his subordinate officers to ensure proper implementation. A sum of Rs. 15,000 has been allocated to each panchayat. A budget of over Rs. 12 crores was approved for the whole state.

The games included in the week-long programme are kabaddi, kho-kho, wrestling, volley ball, cycling, spoon race, Throw ball etc.

After the conclusion of week-long programme a list of such panchayats will be prepared whose programme is found to be excellent. The details of the excellent panchayat will be announced at the district head quarters in the presence of the Lok Sabha member of the area or Minister in charge of the district. This programme will be held on January 30 at the district headquarter in which the panchayat whose performance will be adjudged excellent will be awarded. Members of the concerned panchayat and participants of the chosen event will be invited at the district headquarter. The transport facility will be provided by the district administration.

The chief minister in his message said that material pleasures alone do not make one happy. Real pleasure lies in spirituality Art, culture, reading of healthy literature, games are the real sources of spiritual happiness. State's progress is linked with the spiritual, mental and physical progress of its citizens.

He also announced that the state government is studying the happiness measures taken by the United Nations and its member states. Necessary improvement in our programme will be made on the basis of the results of such a study. (IPA Service)