ISAS Insights

Bhutan conjures up in the mind’s eye idyllic images of a ‘Shangri-La’. In line with this fairy tale perception, it has sought to propagate the concept of Gross National Happiness as a serious index for measuring development. However, there is today a realization in that country that idea-label needs to be matched by performance. Changes are afoot in its politics, economics, and international relations. Cautious reforms on these fronts including modernizing initiatives are rapidly rendering this tiny Kingdom into ‘everywhere else’. So, while ‘Shangri-La’ does not exist in reality, myths continue to remain a driver of human destiny, as the example of Bhutan amply demonstrates.