Pakistanis happier than Indians, says UN report

E-Paper | July 11, 2026

NEW DELHI: Do Pakistanis envy India’s apparent economic progress or curse their own run-in with terrorism and economic difficulties? Whatever the truth they are the happier people compared with the Indians, according to a UN-sponsored study quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI) on Friday. (Parts of the story were published in Dawn on Friday.)

Generosity is a key indicator in which the Pakistanis are several points ahead of their big neighbour. Pakistan’s cabbies and shopkeepers have proved the point every time a group of Indians comes calling to watch a cricket match or visit a shrine.

“Indians are less happy than their counterparts in Pakistan and Bangladesh,” said PTI quoting the report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which is a global initiative for the United Nations.

India comes in at the 117th spot out of 158 countries in the 2015 World Happiness Report. Pakistan is ranked 81 and Bangladesh, 109. Places like Ukraine (111), Palestine (108) and Iraq (112) too come up higher than India on the index.

The report takes into account GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support and freedom to make life choices as indicators of happiness. India’s rank dropped six notches from the 2013 report, when it was on the 111th spot.

Switzerland has been named the happiest country in the world.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2015

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Apr 25, 2015 06:52am

India has become very busy. So I can imagine some of that. But worse than Iraq and Palestine?; something must be off with the survey... the way Indians are interpreting the questions must be very different.

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rana nasir

Apr 25, 2015 07:02am

Reasons are very simple, we are not jealous and obsessed by India. We do not read or watch their news paper and tv. We love their movies, music and actors and because of that they think indians are better than us. I have worked and lived with indians, know exactly where they belong to. Last 15 years of IT industry has shaped india, first time middle class emerges thanks to usa. In last 15 years, the H1 holders indians destroy the us market. Very pathetic to work with them to interact with them. Not all indians are like that for sure but majority from south came from very poor background and burden of dollar is killing them. We know your culture, social values and where you stand as a society, not by watching or reading you news just by watching, interacting or just by reading the comments by whole India on dawn. At last say all of you thanks dawn for giving the chance to say something.

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CYRUS

Apr 25, 2015 07:04am

Per capita Pakistanis would have to be happier. India's poverty is absolutely crippling. Compare Kanpur to Lahore. Millions of Indians are living in dirt and there is nothing to be done about it. The Indian middle class is growing but so are the ranks of the desperately poor. They must be good and wait for their next life to catch a break.

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Sudhakar USA

Apr 25, 2015 07:04am

A BIG congratulations to Pakistan! There is at least something you are able to beat India in.

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khan

Apr 25, 2015 07:14am

yes money can not buy you happiness

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rana nasir

Apr 25, 2015 07:17am

Since they have achieved little prosperity in last 20 years their fear of loosing it goes ten fold. Their fear is Muslims, they ruled them for 1000 years that is why they keep watching us, reading our news papers , watch our talk shows. Mostly have no clue about Pakistan, they just write or talk to feel some comfort. Any indians who visited Pakistan please ask them.

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Mark

Apr 25, 2015 07:22am

Aspiring to get more is the resonance for unhappiness as per Buddha. In a developed economy like Switzerland it's absurd to be unhappy to get a lot more. For underdeveloped india, aspirations and hope are the driving Engine. Definitely so today's unhappiness is the groundbreaking motive for tomorrow's happiness. In progressive terms this unhappiness is good for the coming generations as it will pave ways for a happy life for them. This not only holds good for india but also to Pakistan Bangladesh or any progressive thinking nation !

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amar

Apr 25, 2015 07:26am

They didn't ask me if am happy or not...:-(

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Akil Akhtar

Apr 25, 2015 07:30am

Here come the trolls

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Rosenna

Apr 25, 2015 07:31am

Alhomdolilah yes we are and at every outcome. Alhomdolilah.

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Up wala

Apr 25, 2015 07:34am

China ranks 84 in this list..so China is less happier then Pakistan...I think This index has no relation with external prosperity(economy,Infrastructure).. But It is telling internal prosperty(Inner beauty)...Whatever we have to accept it

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Kavi Mazumdar

Apr 25, 2015 07:36am

Of course. Pakistan's neighbor is India. India's neighbor is Pakistan.

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Ysk

Apr 25, 2015 07:40am

@Sudhakar USA And that's the most important one . Isn't it

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Zaki

Apr 25, 2015 07:44am

Depends on who do you ask.

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Satender

Apr 25, 2015 07:50am

Check out survey must be done before world cup. Otherwise right now result must be vice versa.

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Canada

Apr 25, 2015 07:50am

If Im not mistaken but there seems to be somewhat of a negative correlation between economic prosperity and happiness. According to the US happiness index you would see countries like the US and UK towards the least happiest. In my many travels around the world one of the places where I saw the happiest people was...........Cuba. The least happiest, stressed, full of hate, least humane, inconsiderate of others, materialistic, no value for human life, would be the USA. I have seen people cry their eyes out beucase they couldn't change from an iPhone 4 to 5.

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niju

Apr 25, 2015 07:52am

Comgrats...this news will take tbe happiness iindicator to 2% higher than tbe present level.

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natey

Apr 25, 2015 07:54am

@Sudhakar USA something that is the most important thing in life that is being happy..not just ''something''

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Rosenna

Apr 25, 2015 07:56am

Alhomdolilah yes we are....

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farhan

Apr 25, 2015 08:00am

@Sudhakar USA yeah i guess we try not to be jealous Pakistan is a qila of Islam the most powerful Muslim county and west and our neighbors cant stand that

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Yaz

Apr 25, 2015 08:01am

Well only minority of Indians are benefiting from growth.

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Khush Hal Khan

Apr 25, 2015 08:04am

Sudhakar, Happiness is everything! I hope you found it in USA. Stay blessed.

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Irfan Umrani

Apr 25, 2015 08:10am

Its fact that Pakistanis are more happier than Indians because we have all kind of resources. If we use it properly, we will be more happier than Americans.

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pragmaticpakistani

Apr 25, 2015 08:15am

Lets make the world a happy place for all

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amir Ahmad

Apr 25, 2015 08:26am

@Sudhakar USA What are you doing on pakitan news website.

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jaatboy

Apr 25, 2015 08:26am

What I have observed is that with the economy rising,there is a lot of restlessness among the people to earn more money.

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Talking Point

Apr 25, 2015 08:27am

Pakistan is ranked even higher than China.

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conservative

Apr 25, 2015 08:29am

@Sudhakar USA there are so many other things where we can boast aout. There is less poverty in Pakistan than India. There is less caste and class discrimination in Pakistan as compared to India. Pakistanis are very hospitable and accommodating people. Zakat and other forms if charity create effective safety nets for the poor. There are less suicide cases here. We have got a negative image due to a handful of terrorists and biased press but foreign diplomats, tourists and workers who come to Pakistan once keep coming back.

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umer

Apr 25, 2015 08:34am

Time is just around the corner when Pakistan will beat its rivals in every single rankings

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Dinesh Singh

Apr 25, 2015 08:37am

If this news makes Pakistanis happy, so be it. But I am happy right now because even Bangladesh is giving good thrashing to Pakistani team. So lets be happy.

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madhusudan

Apr 25, 2015 08:39am

That is why i always say pakistanis are cute and sweet people.

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proud#IND

Apr 25, 2015 08:40am

i don't think so... after Bangladesh beating Pakistan in cricket ,both in odi and t20 ....well it might be the greatest nightmare ...which wont keep the happy....but wish them{Pakistani} all the best..and happy life....

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Citizen

Apr 25, 2015 08:46am

What bunkum! Ever heard of margin of error? These poeple who cite these surveys can do with inferential statistics 101.

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Tamilselvan

Apr 25, 2015 08:47am

Define happiness.

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Sana Malik

Apr 25, 2015 08:54am

That's why they are developing so rapidly. Satisfaction engages tolerance in development.

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Democrat

Apr 25, 2015 08:55am

This report itself will make Pakistanis even happiest in the world.

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Khan

Apr 25, 2015 08:55am

@Sudhakar USA Dont worry Sudhkar we beat India and Indians wherever and whenever we get chance. Atleast you know that very wrll. We spend and enjoy money and help others with money and time.

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Wah-wah

Apr 25, 2015 08:56am

Of course they are! Cos most of them don't know if they will be alive tomorrow!

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A.man

Apr 25, 2015 09:03am

this got to be interesting...

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Apr 25, 2015 09:05am

Less expectations.. more happiness.

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Velamela

Apr 25, 2015 09:12am

@Sudhakar USA , Why do you waste your important time in expressing your hate dislike for Pakistan and I am surprised while sitting in USA , you still carry with you such arrogance and hatred. Please accept the fact that India and Pakistan are two separate countries and will be two countries forever. I know you guys are very upset and frustrated but it is well over 68 years and it better for both of us to accept this reality and be happy in our countries as I am-happier in Pakitan by the UN report.

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Junaid

Apr 25, 2015 09:13am

Happy Endingssssssssssssss.....!

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ahmed

Apr 25, 2015 09:18am

@ag lol

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 25, 2015 09:18am

Generosity is a key indicator in which the Pakistanis are several points ahead of their big neighbour- My surmise on this point seems to be borne out. Come on Indians - be more generous with every linguistic, religious , social minority. Be more generous with the poor. Be more generous and forgiving towards your neighbours. You might become a happier lot !

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Apr 25, 2015 09:29am

Developing countries are more unhappy as they have more and more dreams and aspiration hoping and thinking one day they all come true

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Asim Iqbal

Apr 25, 2015 09:36am

@Sudhakar USA and that something is a very big thing, HAPPINESS.

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Babar Lucman

Apr 25, 2015 09:37am

Even if Bangladesh has thrashed us both in ODI and T20, but still we are happy :-)

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Apr 25, 2015 09:38am

@umer , I'm laughing loudly on the joke!!!!

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KrishnaKumar

Apr 25, 2015 09:39am

@amir Ahmad : trying to be happy

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DAWNREADERFROMINDIA

Apr 25, 2015 09:47am

they ask the people of punjab (pakistan) & Bihar (India). do they ask Indian punjab maharashtra,Goa karnataka tamilnadu or pakistani KPK sindh tribal areas?

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Harish Kiran G S

Apr 25, 2015 09:48am

Congrats for being happy.

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Khan, USA

Apr 25, 2015 09:55am

@Satender Why you guys have conquered since World cup ?

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PKR

Apr 25, 2015 09:56am

Congratulations Pakistan.May your happiness increase and spread all around.

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Captain Hindsight

Apr 25, 2015 10:01am

@Sudhakar USA Only congratulations would be be nice.

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Zahid

Apr 25, 2015 10:03am

Outward looking people are forgiving and thus happier. Myopic inward looking people who scheme endlessly are most insecure and thus unhappier.

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jaspartap sidhu

Apr 25, 2015 10:04am

It is a universal truth that someone whose aspirations do not go hand in hand with his present life he surely do have resentment against his government and we indians have lots of aspirations and desires bcoz we KNOW our govt and country has 'resource potentials' to fulfill those... But it is not the case with pakistan's citizens..They had by and large limited der desires and aspirations from der handcuffed govt(army slaves)..They know our govt is nothing but a bunch of waste and from waste we must not xpect anything... so i wud rename the survey as a 'peculiar survey' just a waste of time nd resources..The money spent on this type of surveys should be provided to the needy ones..

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Friend Indeed

Apr 25, 2015 10:10am

Pakistanis are resilient.

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Apr 25, 2015 10:11am

@Sudhakar Dear you, not sure wether this was a compliment:"...at least something you are able to beat India in...." Yes there are many things we still beat India in.

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A Ahmed

Apr 25, 2015 10:12am

@ag What shocks me is that Indians expect anything good to come out of India at all.

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sunny

Apr 25, 2015 10:31am

@amir Ahmad Simply because there is a news about India...

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Tranquil

Apr 25, 2015 10:33am

Yap saw that chart Pakistan is happy its all because we are still hopeful and learnt to live in hard times with smile and will Survive.

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Khan, USA

Apr 25, 2015 10:33am

@Zahid says it all Buddy

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Tranquil

Apr 25, 2015 10:36am

@DAWNREADERFROMINDIA Some people cant digest any positive news about their neighbors

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PUNE-India

Apr 25, 2015 10:39am

Yes, we are thinking about Electricity, job, education...that's why Indian are less happier than Pakistani....Pakistani got all these very easily...

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Truth

Apr 25, 2015 10:44am

@Sudhakar USA If your talking about sports it's 50/50 even tho Pakistanis have a higher overall win rate. If your talking about economy, Yes India is doing much better. In poverty India suffers too much but Pakistan everyone gets something to eat and poverty is not like India's and unemployment. Pakistan is suffering forign funded terrorism too in few areas. But Pakistan is still happier.

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Raj

Apr 25, 2015 10:46am

@umer Good Luck Brother

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Truth

Apr 25, 2015 10:47am

@Satender Cricket is no big deal. Maybe India is the one suffering from past losses and still can't get over, it even winning world cup 7yrs ago.

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Saqib

Apr 25, 2015 11:01am

Now this is a suprise. Well, stay happy but quit complaining so much about your county, its a national obssesion. See, even I'm complaining about 200 million other complainers.

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ayaan

Apr 25, 2015 11:02am

Now hope this happiness of Pakistan will stop the religious extremism and make good connections with all religions and countries!

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Apr 25, 2015 11:07am

'I'm happy'eeeeeeeeee'ee. I always knew that we are better people than most in the world. Being happy means 'good at heart and not jealous. '

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Kalyan

Apr 25, 2015 11:09am

Happiness comes from culture rather than money. Over the last decade India has really lost happiness over endless corruption scandals and lack of attention to culture. News, Cinema and the arts in India are seriously in need of improvement and crassness and vulgarity has replaced piousness and morality.

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Khan, USA

Apr 25, 2015 11:10am

@Sidh Please stop worrying about us . You probably again forgot that India got divided in 1947!and now India and Pakistan are two countries.

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A shah

Apr 25, 2015 11:22am

We have to stop this obsession with INDIA and everything they do

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chiru

Apr 25, 2015 11:25am

oh...wonder , how ,palestene is better than india.....is this really a UN report

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Shivan

Apr 25, 2015 11:33am

congratulations!

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ashutosh sharma

Apr 25, 2015 11:40am

Indians are less happier than Iraqis or Palestinian. Incredible!

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Hoga

Apr 25, 2015 11:41am

@umer Not in near future my bro and may not your life time.

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Hoga

Apr 25, 2015 11:41am

@Wah-wah Good One.

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Bing-Bud-A-Bang

Apr 25, 2015 11:43am

If Pakistani' are a happy (happier) lot with their present circumstances, I guess then they've earned it!

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Qamar

Apr 25, 2015 11:49am

Pakistanis are always ahead of India in every situation. Pakistan is Zinda Dil Nation.

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Madan

Apr 25, 2015 11:52am

This survey result must be a cruel joke ranking as it does a war torn Iraq and a victim of Russian invation, the Ukraine, higher than India. Besides, the report says that the ranking takes into account GAP and that fact explains the high ranks claimed by rich European countries. Hum bug is the right way to describe these kinds of meaningless research/ survey results.

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Ejaz

Apr 25, 2015 11:54am

@Bing-Bud-A-Bang I think happiness is two fold comprising both material and spiritual existence of human being. Here we have to think a little bit

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Madan

Apr 25, 2015 11:55am

@khan The rating claims that points were given to countries for their per capita G D P; at least the survey takers seem to have decided that higher GAP automatically translate to higher happiness.

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Ejaz

Apr 25, 2015 11:55am

Here we have to ponder over both material and spiritual existence of a human being

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shami

Apr 25, 2015 12:04pm

Pakistan is a very hardy nation. No matter what circumstances are we battle the situation with faith and courage unlike our neighbours. Proud to be a Pakistani!

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El Indiano

Apr 25, 2015 12:05pm

This is to be expected. Unhappiness happens when you look around you and see that your neighbors are better off than you. I would expect countries with the largest disparity between the rich and the poor to be the unhappiest. In India, the gap between the rich and the poor is higher than Pakistan, and is constantly widening. The rich are getting richer much faster than the poor. I would expect socialist countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland to be the happiest. I would expect South Africa to come out pretty low on the happiness scale.

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Naxalite

Apr 25, 2015 12:10pm

Being an Indian i will call it bitter truth.

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 25, 2015 12:12pm

@Ejaz That's right. Abiding happiness can emerge only from spirituality, because material things come and go. The nature of the human soul is bliss-full.

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Brajesh Kumar

Apr 25, 2015 12:21pm

@umer And Pakistanis are looking for that corner on a circle ;) Go ahead

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Apr 25, 2015 12:24pm

@Sudhakar USA we want india to beat us at everything. Havent u heard? India is a sad nation that needs some cheering up

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Apr 25, 2015 12:25pm

I think religion has a role in this- all Muslim countries turned up happier despite tons of problems. Look at the example of Paletsine. But, I'm sure they didn't survey the most unhappy lot in Pakistan: Dawn Readers.

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pk fan

Apr 25, 2015 12:30pm

@amir Ahmad sudhakar dosnt need visa so far i know,,

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omer khan shaheen

Apr 25, 2015 12:33pm

@Sudhakar USA The list is much bigger! Happiness is one of them :)

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VIJAY

Apr 25, 2015 12:35pm

@Qamar yes bro, in terrorism also.thats the truth.

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16 aane

Apr 25, 2015 12:42pm

Looking at the current scenario in Pakistan,they should be worried .

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Adil Warraich

Apr 25, 2015 12:42pm

@Sudhakar USA Thats all which matters at the end... who's more happy :) and i am very happy to be Pakistani ! proud of it!

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Ravi

Apr 25, 2015 12:44pm

Lies, Half Truths and Statistics Statistical Prevarication: Telling Half Truths using Statistics 'The probability of someone getting killed while walking on the middle of the road is relatively low'. Hence we can conclude that it is relatively safe to walk on the middle of the road! A recent UN research also has convincingly concluded that living in Iraq makes you happier than living in India. Modesty prevented UN from saying that the main reason for this was the frequent UN military interventions and Security Council resolutions. Now we know how the member nations' contributions are properly used by UN! Well done UN! All global citizens and tax payers are very proud of you!! You deserve indeed first class air travel!

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Dinesh Singh

Apr 25, 2015 12:54pm

This conclusively proves that two nation theory was correct and justified.

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DarthVader

Apr 25, 2015 12:54pm

yes we are not happy neither satisfied. Currently 1.2 billion indians are busy striving for more development more education prosperity and development and will not be happy till we achieve our goals. congrats to pk though.

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Mughal

Apr 25, 2015 12:57pm

@Satender Or Survey was done in Lahore

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Sunil

Apr 25, 2015 12:57pm

One can only progress if there is feeling of dissatisfaction or unhappiness about the prevailing situation and hence unhappiness is dynamically pro change. The smugs are static

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Mughal

Apr 25, 2015 12:57pm

@Sudhakar USA if True at all

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iloveladoos

Apr 25, 2015 12:59pm

To be honest this seems a little odd. As per pakistan is troubled with political instability, people are unhappy with NS, his brother in Punjab, there is problem with electricity distribution, terrorism in northwestern province, yet you have a ranking of 81, your neighbor on west is at 158 and the perpetual enemy on the east is at 112. Bangladesh , Srilanka and Nepal at more than 20 points behind you. Even China with all her progress is behind you. Hmm..whatever the reason is, today.. Pakistan deserves a congrats!!

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iloveladoos

Apr 25, 2015 01:01pm

@Qamar does zinda dil mean short sighted?

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JKhan

Apr 25, 2015 01:05pm

What was the criteria of measuring the happiness...........a victory after a cricket match.............? Because as far as the rest of things are concerned, both the nations have nothing to be happy about except Pakistani have Meera.......

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Imran Altaf

Apr 25, 2015 01:20pm

India many be "Economically" well off however they do have over 325 million people living in poverty - more than the population of Pakistan.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 25, 2015 01:21pm

Hindus are not happy for centuries what is so new about this report, The fake bubble of development already busted after coming to power by parties from extreme rightist or should i say fascist mentality on the helm of affairs It will go down further and shine it even better.

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Cmvt

Apr 25, 2015 01:25pm

You must be kidding me!

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Dani

Apr 25, 2015 01:27pm

@Sudhakar USA hahaha. Look ur comment depicts how unhappy u r. learn something from us. A country still happy which has faced multi pronged terrorism. I m proud to be a pakistani.

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Humwatan

Apr 25, 2015 01:28pm

Answer lies in the last paragraph- One of the criteria is GDP per capita.. given that India has over 1.25 Billion people, the ratio is bound to be less.. :) .. But credit to Pakistanis to give an inspiring outlook of happiness despite facing difficult situation at home...

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Ahmed

Apr 25, 2015 01:29pm

Doing nothing no need to be tensed. Be happier than happiest.

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kaps

Apr 25, 2015 01:29pm

After yesterday's T20 match ...I don't think so!!!

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abbas kd

Apr 25, 2015 01:33pm

I have lived most of my life in the Western countries but planning to move to Pakistan now & I m very optimistic about the better n happy life in Pakistan. Also even a much better Pakistan for our future generations.

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persecuted

Apr 25, 2015 01:39pm

i support this survey.......in india there is a heavy reservation in jobs & education for so called backward communities.....or in one line i mean in india a process of purging 25 % of population i.e those people who comes in forward castes is going for past 50 yrs in form of govt. quotas,political negligence e.t.c.....many people due to this are migrating outside of india....

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magesh

Apr 25, 2015 01:47pm

research shows fully democratic country is less happier than autocratic country. in democracy people always expect more.

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A Pakistani

Apr 25, 2015 01:48pm

I am happier after this report.

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Rohan, Mumbai

Apr 25, 2015 01:53pm

@umer, True if by "Time" you mean a million and one years

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Zak

Apr 25, 2015 01:54pm

It is our belief in our faith and the big hearted attitude of Pakistanis, that makes us happier. We our confident in ourselves, because we face issues and rectify it, we don't hide in a false make believe world.As politics gets cleaned up, economy picks up, we will be in the first 20 of the list. Well done Pakistan. Indians are slipping, because they are refusing to face the truth and fix it

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Harmony-1

Apr 25, 2015 02:06pm

'Health and Happiness are the most important things in life'. Money is secondary - it cannot buy happiness. "Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much"- Erich Fromm

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rana

Apr 25, 2015 02:07pm

Time is just around the corner when Pakistan will beat its rivals in every single rankings

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mohit

Apr 25, 2015 02:12pm

If this is happiness than I wish you more for you. Look into reality don't believe what other say.

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Humans

Apr 25, 2015 02:20pm

I am happy at the report.

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Harmony-1

Apr 25, 2015 02:20pm

"That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest" - Henry David Thoreau

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satender

Apr 25, 2015 02:26pm

@Khan, USA mauka mauka.

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Harmony-1

Apr 25, 2015 02:33pm

@chiru - This report is not about being "better than india". Its about happiness!

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Zak

Apr 25, 2015 02:34pm

@Kavi Mazumdar ... And that is the tragedy.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2015 02:36pm

@Dinesh Singh shows our greatness. Wins and losses in cricket do not affect our positivity. Not so in india. When Bangladesh hammers India next, they will be last in the list.

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Tamil

Apr 25, 2015 02:39pm

Pakistani generation look forward for themselves and their nation. They don't seem to care for others problem.

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XYZ-Indian

Apr 25, 2015 02:40pm

why UN is wasting money in such survey

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Rahul

Apr 25, 2015 02:41pm

All the achievements of pakistan are nothing that are realistic.

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Vikramaditya

Apr 25, 2015 03:01pm

and this report makes Pakistanis more more happy

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abdul rafay

Apr 25, 2015 03:04pm

Be happy for what you have either less or more and that's what Pakistani's do.

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haseeb

Apr 25, 2015 03:15pm

Question were asked right after one hour loadshedding.

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Gurdaspur to Islamabad

Apr 25, 2015 03:28pm

As report is about happiness of people of Pakistan, yes we are. We welcome other people in the region to come and see Pakistan by themselves.

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Kabeela Khan

Apr 25, 2015 03:35pm

@amar Hahaha very good point.

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Syed Hassan

Apr 25, 2015 03:41pm

Yes it is a fact that WE are a much happier nation. The problem is in the way we are portrayed. It is a nation of Beautiful, Bright, Happy and Resilient people. Pakistan Zindabad Pakistan Pa'aindabad.

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Samuel Boyce

Apr 25, 2015 03:42pm

It does not come as a surprise to me. After working with South Asians for decades, I have to come to appreciate the differences between nationalities. I found Pakistanis and Bangladeshis to be more generous, hospitable and having genuine caring and empathy for others. Indians are great people, but many tend to be hard-nosed, with a keen eye for their material well being, not necessarily bad attributes, but I can tell you few can meet the great hospitality of the Pakistanis and Bangladeshis I came across.

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Sarwar

Apr 25, 2015 03:44pm

@Sanjoy Sankar Guha Thans Sanjoy for making it clear that it is not a survey based ranking which many readers assumed without even browsing the report. Most importantly however, among the South Asian countries, it is only Bangladesh which has shown gains in happiness index since 2007. In all other SA countries, the index declined; with India show the biggest decline, followed by Pakistan (which ironically means that Pakistan was happier under dictatorship than under democracy).

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Imran

Apr 25, 2015 03:51pm

@jaatboy You are spot on.

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kaka

Apr 25, 2015 03:51pm

our grit , resilience and magnanimity along with religious belief make us truly happy.

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Nasir Khan

Apr 25, 2015 03:54pm

If we look at the current environment of Pakistan, if it was any other country, the survival was impossible. We have heart to face difficulties and find happiness from ruins.

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Kamran

Apr 25, 2015 04:03pm

Ignorance is bliss

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Naaz

Apr 25, 2015 04:13pm

What's there to be happy about when my country faces farmer suicides, abject poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition..Working harder is better than happiness for most of us

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Raja Farhat abbas

Apr 25, 2015 04:21pm

@rana nasir A very good and true comment Rana saab.

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ABL

Apr 25, 2015 04:27pm

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ― J.K. Rowling in Harry Potter So our 'choice' is to be happy, which is the only choice!

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N.Sid

Apr 25, 2015 04:38pm

Something to do with spirituality(religious belief in life hereafter) and that this is not the eternal life, any pain and misery is secondary, not long lasting. The other thing is certainly generosity and charitable nature(again related to spirituality). Read somewhere Pakistan ranks at 4th place in per capita donation/charity in the world. If you make someone happy, the happiness transcends to you, this is the ultimate happiness...to make other happy. Try this and you will be happy.

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Maxx

Apr 25, 2015 04:43pm

I see less hatred in Pakistanis towards Indian than vice versa...hatred itself is a sign of unhappiness, psychiatrists has described it as some sort of disease. Good to see Pakistanis are a happy lot and not suffering from disease of hatred, bigotry, jingoism and are more open minded, friendly, generous and spiritual.

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Ero

Apr 25, 2015 04:43pm

The top comments are outrageously funny! Thanks Dawn for this report. I'm Indian but it made me happy :)

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Maxx

Apr 25, 2015 04:54pm

@Rana Nasir Makes sense Rana Nasir. Indians are seeing prosperity for the last 20 years after the opening of economy. Pakistan per capita income was three times that of India for a good period of more than 50 years. All HDI indices were better for Pakistan, the GDP growth was 5.5-6% for Pakistan and for India it was less than 2-2.5% from 1950's till 2000. But just looking at the bragging and boasting of Indians at any forum, you can see the huge baggage they carry. Pakistanis are more open minded, less vengeful, generous and forgiving and yes very charitable...this is the main reason for inner happiness. Make someone happy and you are happy. Indians are the least charitable nation on earth, they accumulate gold and cash, won't disperse to the poor section due to caste system, hence the huge disparity between rich and poor.

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Nitin

Apr 25, 2015 05:23pm

this report will make India more unhappy

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Singh.ra

Apr 25, 2015 05:39pm

May be. As India is growing very fast it is due to the people there. They are working hard and thinking more as there are more opportunities in India. Once Pakistan will start developing same will happen with Pakistan too.

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Harmony-1

Apr 25, 2015 05:43pm

@Sanjoy Sankar Guha - Good comments as usual. It seems you come from a happy part of India. Just curious where from?

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Apr 25, 2015 06:50pm

@Sudhakar USA It is the only thing that matters :)

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Apr 25, 2015 08:04pm

Sir, this is an advertisement of the Government of the Pakistan. The money talks. Indian economy is ten times bigger than Pakistan. Their leaders do not waist as much money as Nawaz and his family is doing.

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mahesh

Apr 25, 2015 08:18pm

@rana nasir - South India is generlazilation. It is only Hydrabadis- Andra It PROFESSIONALS. are like that ,, kannadigas are more happy lot in south india.. and have a postive outlook. But immhration to bangaluru is screwing happiness of normal kannadigas. Kannadigas are very happy people in south india.. India's happiness goes by ehinic group . Some groups have culture to be happy. Punjabis are happey people in north and kannadigas are happy in south . rest of them because of poverty, culture and high population density ar enot happy.

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Apr 25, 2015 08:39pm

@Harmony-1 First of all i have some question the way surveys are conducted. How many people they interviewed,What kind of questionnaire they asked that also makes a difference. Out of 1.25 Billion population if you interviewed some 1000-2000 people then it doesn't show the real picture of Happiness. Might be Indians are demanding more from their government that's why they may be unsatisfied it could be case also where as Pakistani knows very well about their politician and accommodate themselves how to live happy in such adverse conditions. Any way congrats Pakistan for having a good ranking.

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BEWARE: KING TROLL TROLLS THE EARTH

Apr 25, 2015 08:43pm

Good for Pakistan. :)

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MHamza

Apr 25, 2015 09:25pm

If people are thinking that terrorism actually makes u unhappy then they r truly wrong. Happiness comes after a lot of factors which i think are in abundant in Pakistan

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MHamza

Apr 25, 2015 09:26pm

@Sudhakar USA Really, well then u know nothing about Pak.

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hamza

Apr 25, 2015 09:30pm

The choice in this report is between a rock and a hard place.

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Sid

Apr 25, 2015 09:30pm

@CYRUS why are you comparing tier 2 kanpur with tier 1 Lahore ... Compare Lahore with Bangalore or chennai or gurgaon ... Kanpur is not even a state capital ..

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manish

Apr 25, 2015 09:37pm

Berger are happier than rich persons, teacher are happier than politicians, labors are happier than managers, riska puller are happier than a air pilot. those persons are without destination, without target, without of success,, without dreams,,,they will be happy, no work load , no challenge they will be happy,, a mad person always happier than a normal person,, happier means no tension and no tension means... no dreams.. no dreams mean,,nothing,,,

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someone

Apr 25, 2015 10:27pm

Since Pakistanis are so happy under NS, I wish NS to continue for another 25 years so that Pakistan can achieve absolute happiness of old days and attain the number 1 rank. Ameen :-). Also for unhappy Indians, please continue with whatever you are doing as I think being unhappy has its own advantages because it makes you to strive for more.

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Apr 25, 2015 10:38pm

@rana nasir You know that half of the content of the comment written by you is not true. Still you wrote to take out your frustration. Be Happy.

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Siddiq

Apr 25, 2015 10:48pm

That is great, now Indians and Pakistanis will start picking on each other again. We live in a region which has incredible amounts of potential to better the lives of its peoples. But what do we do? Arguing and fighting over the most pettiest of things. Imagine if India, Pakistan and China were to resolve all their problems and just focus inwards to fix their societies and problems, the West would be on its feet. I just don't understand why can't we look inwards and stop the inner hatred towards each other. The only way the West has been able to move ahead is because they agreed that they will not fight each other again. We know how the West destroyed itself in previous wars. What was the outcome? Total destruction of civilization. Now, they have resolved all their issues and everyone would agree that they are doing a lot better than our region. 2.5 billion live in our region (if you also take in China), and just look at us. Pathetic.

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shahzad

Apr 25, 2015 11:26pm

@Satender .. ohh really! sounds like india are world champions. plz come up with new excuse. NEXT

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khan

Apr 25, 2015 11:36pm

@Sudhakar USA and this is iportant for life

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Venkat Raman Iyer

Apr 26, 2015 12:13am

Our greatest power are our women. Women can earn more and they can feed men like in west.

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Khawar

Apr 26, 2015 02:07am

@amar I am very happy with that!

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sunil

Apr 26, 2015 02:12am

@someone a poor can be happier than a rich person... happiness is about state of mind not wealth

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Lalit

Apr 26, 2015 04:03am

@rana nasir , My friend, you seems be in grave pain that we (indians) read your news paper (online & in english). We do this so we can be well informed world citizens, we are hungry for knowledge. You shouldn't pay much attention to what others say about you & what they read if you are happy, it's nobodies business what and how and when and where you do what. Just be happy.

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Lalit

Apr 26, 2015 04:05am

@Sudhakar USA , Good one my friend. Pak cricket team will be happy the hear that.

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Lalit

Apr 26, 2015 04:10am

@Talking Point , This is due to the Chinese President's recent visit to Pak.

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Lalit

Apr 26, 2015 04:11am

@Saqib , Great reply.

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SALAHUDDIN

Apr 26, 2015 06:31am

Mashallah, we are happy because after all is said and done, our spirit is still strong and our faith even stronger in the Almighty who guides us through endless trials and tribulations. Our people's magnanimous generosity, selfless heart and deep compassion for one another is the hallmark of M.A. Jinnah's vision of Pakistan. Let's hope and pray our happiness perseveres despite all our challenges which Indians must envy ; -P

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Sarwat

Apr 26, 2015 06:46am

How can we improve further? We need Naya Pakistan!

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Just saying

Apr 26, 2015 06:51am

@amir Ahmad - spying if Pakistanis are happy or not ;)

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:02am

I am very happy that Pakistanis are happier than Indians! Expect peace to break out!

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AYZA

Apr 26, 2015 07:04am

WHOO HOO!! Yes we are a happy lot for sure : )) If truth be told, one observes that the simpler the life of our fellow Pakistanis, the more content he or she is. This UN report simply validates this reality. Regardless of where one travels in Pakistan, whether it be in the South or the North, everywhere Pakistanis are ready to offer help, a cup of chai and breaking bread with strangers. We love our beloved Pakistan and our golden hearted quom! Pakistan Zindabad!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:08am

@rana nasir ; The expression is " a little". "Little" is the opposite of "a little"!

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ENIGMA

Apr 26, 2015 07:18am

@Ravi No need to be envious of your neighbor, after all maybe if you're fortunate enough to visit Pakistan and see firsthand why this UN data is spot on : ) you will also be pleasantly surprised at the warmth and kindness you will witness. So don't believe all you read in your highly biased Indian media about most Pakistanis!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:20am

@umer : "Hope springs eternal"!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:23am

@Yaz ; Isn't that TRUE of ALL nations? The 1%ers? Every day I read Dawn and lots of posters complain bitterly about Pakistan's "Land Mafia"!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:31am

@Sana Malik : Indian philosophers kept telling Hindus that :" Contentment is the greatest comfort" for centuries! "Santosham maha sukham"! They believed it and were invaded time and again and were ruled by invading foreign MINORITIES --like forever! Only now they are learning the lessons of the foereign invaders --to fight for possessions --and that makes them less happy than you who got a country just for your ancestors' act of coming down Khyber Pass!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:33am

@Khan: You do?

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:35am

@Sana Malik ; Careful! Shakespeare (Sheik Pir) wrote: "Complacency is mortal's cheafest enemy"!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 07:59am

@Hindutavi Rakshas :You can't spell "Hindutva" and you call them "Rakshas"! Funny! Please list the fasccist governments all around you!

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Patmyownback

Apr 26, 2015 08:02am

@Harmony-1 : How come YOU are always unhappy with Indians? BTW, I am not Indian!

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Sanjay

Apr 26, 2015 08:24am

India has a great potential to be the best. First it needs to stop envying Pakistan. Second help other Indians rather than pulling their legs.

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Jay K Raman

Apr 26, 2015 09:08am

Iraq is a happier place than India For heavens sake give me a break. These studies , what a waste of time and resources. JUST IGNORE THEM

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 26, 2015 09:11am

@Harmony-1 Beautiflly quoted!

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 26, 2015 09:23am

@Harmony-1 Another quote my friend that I read somewhere: The richest man in the world is he who needs nothing.

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Sajid R., Lahore

Apr 26, 2015 09:31am

@DAWNREADERFROMINDIA Contact UN in this regard. Meantime we are enjoying

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 26, 2015 09:56am

@Samuel Boyce Thanks for this input, which has to be accepted as objective. As an Indian I honestly feel that we have become much more materialistic since say the 1990s. Side by side our apathy for the poor and minorities of every kind has increased. We simply cannot imagine why suffering people have a right to be out of their misery - as it's their entitlement to continue to suffer, and ours not to. I am sorry to say that this extreme self-centredness may not help the progress of India. I hope I am not being too harsh but improvement comes when you recognise your shortcomings and work towards overcoming them. Hinduism is a religion that is catholic and respects every faith. We should practise it, instead of converting it into a political party.

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Shahid

Apr 26, 2015 11:16am

Majority of Indian Peoples are living very Complex Life that's why india is also holding Record of maximum cases of Suicide

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Sajjad Khan

Apr 26, 2015 11:47am

@Sudhakar USA We are not out to "beat" India but make the lot of our own poor folks better and nothing else. Hope the same wholeheartedly for India too.

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Najam

Apr 26, 2015 11:52am

Charity (Sadaqah) is the key. Pakistanis are way ahead in charity and that is the main reason why they are happier.

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Najam

Apr 26, 2015 11:55am

All of us should work towards making this world a happier place to live for all.

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NASR

Apr 26, 2015 11:57am

@kaps Long Term Happiness and Temporary Happiness are two different things. Like you guys attached so much with cricket, I don't think cricket can be a reason of our long term happiness

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NASR

Apr 26, 2015 12:00pm

I think India as A nation have very little room for others. If you will start sharing space with others specially your immediate neighbors you will cure your sadness.

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rohit

Apr 26, 2015 12:34pm

Give credit where it is due. Well done Pakistan! Against all odds you have done very well. We indians are happy that you guys are happier! The only thing which worries us is the (non?)state actors and their cowardly design against the people of India. I hope an average Pakistani will never endorse any form of terrorism whether its within Pakistan or outside Pakistan.

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proud-winner

Apr 26, 2015 12:39pm

Alhamdulillah, I certainly am very happy to be a Pakistani and love my country. Indian trolls wok do their best to point ugly fingers at this news as well. They are just obsessed with pakistan.

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sunilsm

Apr 26, 2015 12:49pm

Congratulations guys, the way you were moving it wouldn't be very far you will become no 1. There are only two countries are in competitions with Switzerland, Pakistan and Iraq. All the very best of luck. LOL. Very well written article NFB. Good one bro as always.

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Asfandyar khan

Apr 26, 2015 01:23pm

@sunilsm An there are two countries in competition with Afghanistan, Somalia and India Enjoy

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Whistle

Apr 26, 2015 01:45pm

When there is nothing to hope for, people, tend to lag ambition.

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M. Athar

Apr 26, 2015 02:09pm

Generous people are the happiest in the world, and Generosity is the forte of Pakistanis.

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Harmony-1

Apr 26, 2015 02:31pm

@Sanjoy Sankar Guha - And also, I like this one by Gandhi too "Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed".

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 26, 2015 03:12pm

@Harmony-1 True. You know some very appropriate quotes. I have responded to your query twice but these posts have not appeared. And where are you from/email ?

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Harmony-1

Apr 26, 2015 03:20pm

@Patmyownback - Which words of mine here make YOU think I am "always unhappy with Indians" or are you just getting a bit touchy like “…ancestors' act of coming down Khyber Pass’? And why claim not to be Indian? Your responses to Pakistanis are crying out loud what you are!

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Harmony-1

Apr 26, 2015 03:36pm

@Sanjoy Sankar Guha - Sadly, that happens to me often too. Me - Lahore. Going by your name, my guess is you are from Bengal.

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raj

Apr 26, 2015 03:46pm

good

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Simranjit singh Mann

Apr 26, 2015 05:30pm

@rana nasir :; Like Muslims ruled Bangladesh for 24 years and Bangladeshi always watch you too. Isn't it. Wrong conclusion of you and the faulted survey index. How can a land locked , cold , without any industry except industry of 'Dirt Money ' of the world including that of Pakistan , can be happiest : Switzerland. Please read The Tribune from Chandigarh India to have some insight into the index .

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Kabir

Apr 26, 2015 05:37pm

If you are happy, you go into a shell. You become no less than a herd. You stop asking questions, you stop looking for answers. Your intellectual and spiritual development stops. You believe in your make believe world. Your critical thinking hampers..... You can't be happy if you are looking for answers..!!!

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 26, 2015 05:38pm

@Harmony-1 My God - how did you know ? Acually been born and brought up in a hill station in N.E.India, now shuttling between Pune, Kolkata and Shillong. sanjoysankarguha@gmail.com.

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Dr. Saif

Apr 26, 2015 06:19pm

Materialism causes stress, tension, envy and eventually unhappiness. What is definition of happiness? A man living in a remote village living with cattle may be more happy than a doctor living in a modern city with a lavish lifestyle. As people become materialist and start getting commodities in order to be in peace they become victim of envy and tension. Indian are moving gradually toward this phenomenon while we are still enjoying primitive lives and happy with out lifestyle. Again, the question of definition of happiness is intact.

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khan

Apr 26, 2015 06:54pm

There was an article by Aasim Sajjad Akhtar just a few days ago titled "Living in denial".

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parveez

Apr 26, 2015 07:05pm

I know people who are very rich, but are the most un happiest. Money can't buy happens Money can't buy real love. Money can't buy health

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Reality bites

Apr 26, 2015 07:12pm

@rana nasir Dawn made this comparison. What for?

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Akshat

Apr 26, 2015 07:19pm

Okay, now to all those who are getting happy inside and talking about Indian poverty let me tell you a very simple but less discussed matter.Poverty rating in India comes from the total number of bpl(below poverty level) /ebc (economically backward class) certificates obtained from tehsils i.e administrative offices.Now these certificates are given to those who have less than 10000rs annual income.These certificates can be easily obtained by bribing or falsified information about income.Now add up total population with all prevalent corruption and voilà.you have a very poor nation. Ps.bpl or ebc cerificates allow various concessions and subsidies and reservations by the goi.

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Shabbir

Apr 26, 2015 07:43pm

Dont know what were the metrics that were considered but having been in europe for the last 4years. I find them to be the most unhappiest and worried lot. In fact Australia and NZ seem the most happiest of all the countries. Stats can be used anywhich way to prove a point. Not a believer in statistics at all. I cant be happy because we are better or happier than another country.

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Swab

Apr 26, 2015 07:46pm

@Velamela Yes it is 68 years, so accept reality of Kashmir.

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Hassan

Apr 26, 2015 08:04pm

@magesh : whatever makes you happy..... :-)

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Syed Tariq

Apr 26, 2015 08:06pm

People who wish ill for others will never be happy, people who are jealous of others and envy others will never be happy, those who wish everyone well will be forever happy, Pakistanis wish Indians and Bangladeshis well, we wish no one ill, we share what we have generously.....We are a happy people from within.

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muzafar

Apr 26, 2015 08:50pm

@Sudhakar USA , Happiness is everything man, that is why u want to live, I know 1000yrs salvery has broken you alot and above all your defence/security and foreign policy expenses is even taking square meal of food from your people, so that kashmir, NE states and other Maoist related movements can be suppressed!

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Rambhav

Apr 26, 2015 08:58pm

@Brajesh Kumar Ha.. Ha... Haaa! corner of a circle!

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sanjay

Apr 26, 2015 09:32pm

when you say Indians we have Tamils, Marathis, gujaratis, panjabis and muslims and many other groups. non sensical; survey

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Imran khan (indian)

Apr 26, 2015 11:24pm

Pakistan surviving on foreign aid and still happy wow may be they have less expectation from their live thats why they dont have anything to loose Pakistan are happier then China also according to report

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guest

Apr 27, 2015 01:30am

I don't find much validity in these rankings. If you asked somebody in India would you move to Iraq or Palestine or Pakistan because they are happier there, I doubt anybody would say yes. Happiness is relative term. If your country has just come out of a civil war, you would probably be happy that you survived and are hopeful about the future. Your happiness may be higher than somebody in a country like India where economic progress is increasing the peoples drive to succeed, as well as increasing stress levels.

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jeet

Apr 27, 2015 01:35am

One knows very well who is happier & where? Imagination have wings to go high and high. UN report put even Bangladesh behind PAK though they are achieving much faster growth rate than Pakistan, less dependent on alms given by Arabs or US. Less number of within attacks and sectarian killing as compared by Pakistan! by the way do UN agencies dare to come to Pakistan for any such survey after Bin laden operation?

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Apr 27, 2015 01:50am

So the sample survey of 2000 to 3000 people done between 2012-2014 can decide the happiness of a country like India where sample survey of more than 100,000 people for election outcome used to go horribly wrong. http://worldhappiness.report/

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indrapal vansia

Apr 27, 2015 03:18am

I would rather be rich and unhappy than poor and happy.

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rana1

Apr 27, 2015 05:05am

@Sunil .......how obsessed are you with pakistan.........

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Thinker

Apr 27, 2015 05:14am

@rana nasir lol

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Dasingh

Apr 27, 2015 06:11am

Ignorance is bliss. Some people demand better, some just make do with what they have.

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sanzubbi

Apr 27, 2015 06:28am

Those Pakistanis who believe they are happier than Indians must be living in delusion. The same delusion that makes them look past the state of the country, its economy, its politics, its social development, its standing and prestige in the world. Well, who are we to spoil their fun - as the Indian poet Ghalib said "dil ko khush rakhne ka Ghalib khayal achha hai!" Dream on....

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Freeman

Apr 27, 2015 07:55am

@indrapal vansia, I would like to be other way round. I preffer to be happy and poor instead of rich and unhappy.

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Apr 27, 2015 08:05am

We can get better by absorbing sense of civics and responsibilities in general.

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Bishwas

Apr 27, 2015 08:19am

I am a Nepali and I used to work for this restaurant owned by a Pakistani guy. One thing I will never forget about him is that he had a heart of gold and always offered meals for free to all the staffs and everyone who came by to meet him. I was working part time during nights and he even gave me takeaway meals for next day lunch. I am pretty sure I will always remember him and how he gave me work at difficult times while I was still in college(He even gave me a day off during weekday so that I could get my school work done). Not trying to compare or choose between the two but I also worked for Indian boss and I remember the experience was not as pleasant.

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A Pakistani

Apr 27, 2015 08:28am

@indrapal vansia Very happy about about you.

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Syed Ali

Apr 27, 2015 08:36am

@Sudhakar USA LOL that "something" is literally the ONLY thing that matters when you're conparint two countries; happiness. Also, you basically proved the survey's point by displaying so much unhappiness.

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A Pakistani

Apr 27, 2015 08:36am

@Sudhakar USA That is the reason why you are not happier. Your total focus is on attaching and insulting and mocking at your neighbors. You comments are full of sarcasm . Good comments can bring some happiness to you. We all work hard and gather things to be happy, so happiness is the ultimate desire. Try to be happy. We Pakistanis have less materialistic desire and therefore we are Happy.خوش

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Kautiliya

Apr 27, 2015 08:58am

W C Field has said that the humanity can learn to live without happiness.

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dada

Apr 27, 2015 09:18am

Ignorance is bliss! Awareness of injustice and atrocities make one initially sad and later take action to alleviate injustice and atrocities. Pakistanis know more about distant Angloes and Arabs but not what is "here and now." Those who are sensitive and would like to act or even speak about the injustice and atrocities are cut down like Saben Mahmud.

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Take

Apr 27, 2015 09:24am

No youtube ....no money ...still the happiest Religion gives this resilience

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dada

Apr 27, 2015 09:26am

Happiness of a country needs to be measured by the number of people in the queue in front of its ambassy for its Visa. If Pakistan was a happy place then why others are not willing to visit it? 4 out of 5 UN security council members have vested interest in keeping Pakistan going to destabilize India. 3 Founding Members of UN created Pakistan to recolonize the apparently decolonized natives. No wonder UN is happy for Pakistan!

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Zak

Apr 27, 2015 09:51am

@PUNE-India here are some wake up statistics for you. 70% children in india don't have education access or education. Most cities like Delhi get water supply for only 1 hour set times per day. Electricity is limited to 6 hours, unemployment rate is 45%. Unless you lot are not taught the truth, these erroneous comments from you are understandible. Atleast Dawn takes you where your others, have never been before.

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Zak

Apr 27, 2015 09:52am

@rana nasir well said. That is the reality, which these people are kept away from.

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Zak

Apr 27, 2015 09:57am

@Lalit survey was done before the visit. Bubble burst, Don't let that make you more unhappy.

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peshawar

Apr 27, 2015 10:02am

Places like Ukraine (111), Palestine (108) and Iraq (112) too come up higher than India on the index........ it says a lot about the credibility of such surveys .....

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al hindi

Apr 27, 2015 10:11am

@Khan remember 16 December?

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N.Sid

Apr 27, 2015 10:31am

@Dr. Saif So you think countries at the top of happiness chart like United States at 15, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Canada, France, Germany and some other European countries, where people are the happiest are not materialistic, living a primitive medieval lives and are not aspiring and doesn't strive for a better living and more money and yes high living standards...this can't be like this. There are a lot of factors for Countries with huge population like India and China to be unhappy. Lack of resources, population burden, in India it is the caste system to be blamed for huge disparity, China has the communist set up and an iron fist to guard the locals, hence low happiness indices.

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Kan

Apr 27, 2015 10:35am

@Sanjoy Sankar Guha Friend, By next generation these caste form of discrimination will go off and status will come up. These are all somethings which is out of our control that will be known by time only. Perhaps I think the reason for not being happy is pressure, Studies(not the interested one, but which can give you more money) , Job, Properties for future generation.......Money is the sole reason for this according to me :)

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N.Sid

Apr 27, 2015 10:36am

@Kabir So you think the happiest people, people in Canada, US, Finland, Japan, Sweden, Norway and other developed countries are like that and the unhappiest people, those in Congo, Ethiopia, Laos, Nigeria, and other at the bottom pit are like that...how delusional.

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MMH

Apr 27, 2015 10:43am

Very good to know that Pakistanis are happy people. Remain so always.

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N.Sid

Apr 27, 2015 10:49am

@Syed Tariq Very well said, pertinent and a matter of fact thoughts. I have the same feelings...so do most of the Pakistanis. Hope and help others to be happy and happiness will transcends to you. Simple as that.

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Sanjay Guha

Apr 27, 2015 10:55am

Congratulations Pakistan. I believe India not being as happy a place is because of two things. One is the crippling poverty that a sizeable portion of the population still suffers from. The other is because of consumerization and the new prosperity certain sections of population have discovered and a change in value systems because of that.

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H!m!

Apr 27, 2015 11:15am

@MAXX sorry to break your line of thought mate...but acc. to a french NGO Indians charited the 2nd biggest amount (1 was us), but the donations per head were not that intresting ranking it 87.

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Sanjay Guha

Apr 27, 2015 11:29am

@mahesh Kannadigas are a happy lot. But so are Goans, maharashtrians, Andhrites and Gujaratis. Tamil Nadu also is a happy state and people are hospitable and generous. The northern and north eastern states are not a happy lot due to poverty and the lack of opportunities

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rehan

Apr 27, 2015 11:33am

The reaction of Indians to this report has actually made me ( along with a lot of other Pakistanis) a lot *happier* . I am sure Indians hate seeing us Pakistanis happy despite all the hardships we are facing but Indians really need to grow up and learn to deal with it !

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rehan

Apr 27, 2015 11:40am

@rana nasir NAILED it man ! I don't even know the websites of Indian news papers , nor have I ever bothered with their news channels. I do watch Indian movies like once every 5 years but I don't believe their movies represent their culture. Indians have been slaves to one ruler or another throughout their history and this has caused a very deep rooted inferiority complex in them. I have yet to read about an Indian conqueror that went beyond the borders of the India !

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Anshul

Apr 27, 2015 11:51am

It shall be interesting to know as to how does someone measure anyone's happiness? What are the components which derive happiness? The world has been struggling to know where their happiness lies. Is it external things or internal content?

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ashutosh

Apr 27, 2015 11:55am

@rana nasir You surely are a great Pakistani anthropologist in your own right sir...

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pavan_putra

Apr 27, 2015 12:45pm

Congratulations pakistan!!. But I should tell you ignorance is blissful indeed and I am not surprised that you are a happy lot.

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wang wao

Apr 27, 2015 02:09pm

Dawn is the best newspaper of south Asia and its not your personal property to say something about Indians.

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Praveen

Apr 27, 2015 02:18pm

In a fast developing you will see this problem with happiness, people have to run faster to compete with there peers. You will not see this issue in either developed or under developed countries, because there is nothing for to run.

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N.Sid

Apr 27, 2015 02:20pm

@pavan_putra So you think to be generous, friendly, hospitable and charitable is ignorance. How ignorant of you, no wonder Indians are the least happiest people. Cannot be happy with this report...that proves it is correct. If the report have said Indians are happier than Pakistanis, most people would have been congratulating Indians and not trying to belittle it. This is the difference. Be open, be friendly, be generous, be charitable, be appreciative and you people will be a happy lot.

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Honest Indian

Apr 27, 2015 02:35pm

Good for you. At least some one is happy.

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voice

Apr 27, 2015 02:43pm

This is hilarious. UN guys telling who is happy. Cant we even guess that we are happy or not. I am sure people who are commenting here were not the part of survey still they claim their country is very happy than neighbor. When somebody tell you good thing about you then without realization whether it is true or not you feel good. It is just not about india and pakistan ask yourself are you happy with your country status?

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Mahen

Apr 27, 2015 02:49pm

Thousands of Indian will now try to migrate tp Pelestine or Iraq or Pakitan! Hope they get visas to live in these happy countries!

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Annonymous

Apr 27, 2015 05:02pm

I am happy because I was born in Pakistan. My family moved to Pakistan in 47. Home sweet home. Pakistan Zindabad.

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Shah

Apr 27, 2015 05:42pm

If this is true, then why everyday people are getting blown up in Pakistan. Not an exaggeration. Happens every day and dozens are killed. I guess this makes Pakistanis (some of them) happy?

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Anwar Ahmad

Apr 27, 2015 07:25pm

Ignorance is bliss.

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Harmony-1

Apr 27, 2015 07:46pm

@magesh - Switzerland is "fully democratic" and they are the happiest. Whereas, India is democratic only as far as free and fair elections are concerned; in all else, how a democracy should be, there is still a lot to be desired. So, what "research shows fully democratic country is less happier"?

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Abdullah Yousuf

Apr 27, 2015 07:55pm

There is no instrument to gauge the parameters of "happiness"in fact the UN study is just based on assumptions.At present the No.1 is Switzerland,No.2 is Iceland,and No.3 is Denmark.I think there us some formula wherein per capita income and total population is applied.The population of No.1,2,3 is hugely less when compared to India or Pakistan,so as per UN most probably the lesser is population the happier you are,like a family of 2 is more happier than a family of 22.Therefore I am happy that both India&Pakistan are happy nations,a little more or less (due to population)makes no difference.

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Nasser

Apr 27, 2015 08:20pm

Simple reason; India is still a seriously under-developed and poor nation with huge disparities in income; even worse than in Pakistan. Just compare the richest with the poorest/most vulnerable, nation by nation.

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Deepak

Apr 27, 2015 08:22pm

Really...

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varsha

Apr 27, 2015 08:39pm

I must congratulate pakistan for the happy ness.......we must also pray for world peace and happyness aaminn

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s.ran

Apr 27, 2015 08:50pm

We indians don't need happiness. We need peace.we are better in art of living than any country . keep it up pak

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Udaya Bose

Apr 27, 2015 08:53pm

If one is not ambitious, one is contented with one's lot and when asked one says one is 'happy'. Happy to wallow in one's 'comfortable' present and not looking forward to anything.

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Vinod

Apr 27, 2015 08:54pm

Happiness is a state of mind and doesnt necessarily co-relate to external environment.I am from India and can vouch that as we continue to prosper financially and economically, our society is going through a transformational phase and we are becoming more and more materialistic and losing touch with our inner selves. Depends on how you look at it. I guess Pakistan is yet to experience that phenomena and over a period of time once it goes through that curve they may find themselves in a similar situation. As for now, atleast all Indians should be happy about the fact that Pakistan is doing well in that aspect, atleast that would increase our happiness index to a certain extent.

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Shailesh

Apr 27, 2015 10:36pm

@rana nasir Your prejudice comes through. How do you know majority of South Indians are from poor background. How many cities in the South have you visited. If you do so you will be surprised at the civic sense and cleanliness compared to what you have seen

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guest

Apr 28, 2015 12:03am

@Sanjoy Sankar Guha And this UN survey is reflection of spirituality?

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SoulSearcher

Apr 28, 2015 12:25am

As an Indian living in US I have many Pakistani friends and that is how I got introduced to Dawn and I like its journalism. Usually hang around here to read India related articles and the comments that follow :) Sad to see how Indians and Pakistanis both keep taking a dig on each other...I as an Indian congratulate the Pakistanis on their happiness quotient and believe me most of us wish well for you and believe we are brothers from the same mother! Why will I be sad or jealous at the well being of my sibling! However some comments make me sad when people accuse us of being obsessed with Pak etc. and trolling on this forum! This survey was about happiness index of the world, why are the headlines comparing Pak happiness with Indians? Tell me who is obsessed here?! Nevertheless, congratulations and hope I see less of bickering and more of bonding between the Indo-Pak people on this forum in future!

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Atif Khan

Apr 28, 2015 04:29am

Happiness is from inside. Make your self satisfied and trust on God

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Daniel

Apr 28, 2015 08:59am

I'm sure the survey didn't find out how many of the respondents were delusional..!! Delusion can help with feeling happy for sure...!!

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rehan

Apr 28, 2015 01:20pm

@rana nasir Nailed it ! Hats off to you man ! :-)

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rehan

Apr 28, 2015 01:28pm

Pakistan is not obsessed with India . People rarely bother about what's going on in India except the film industry . A lot don't even care about that. No one reads TOI or The Hindu here , follows political developments or any other issues in India. That's why we are a *much* happier lot.

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Harmony-1

Apr 28, 2015 02:40pm

@Daniel - You are clearly unhappy!

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micky

Apr 28, 2015 03:30pm

@rana nasir India is a huge country with different language and social background.True to your words IT industry is dominated by people from South India.It is different from North or east India.Pakistani culture has more similarity to North India and over there you will find like minded people

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Kan

Apr 28, 2015 07:20pm

@rana nasir Friend, Do you have any idea of South India, You know where most of the poor people in India lives. The dominance in IT industy by south Indians are due to the oppurtunity in studies they have got. Can you even imagine 500 Engg colleges ??? Southern Indian state, TamilNadu have it. The count of Engg colleges alone is 500 that too in only one state. Get your details right, before you comment :)

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Another Indian in USA

Apr 29, 2015 12:05am

In USA, you can see so many restaurants with the tagname "Indian & Pakistani Cusine". So is several grocery stores, sweet shops, etc., And I feel like pakistanis are one of our own, coming from the same continent and neighboring country. But the media didn't allow me to feel that way when I was in India. I wish the media from both countries stop false propagandas and let the people of both countries live in peace.

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Khan

Apr 29, 2015 05:27am

@pk fan Soon Sudhakar visa is expiring and he is going back to AP.

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Khan

Apr 29, 2015 05:37am

I dont know about the report but atleast one thing came out after the UN Report. Pakistanis are more Happierخوش and Indians are more unhappyنا خوش This thing must be reported to UN .

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YourNeighbor

Apr 29, 2015 11:14am

@rehan Neither is India obsessed with Pakistan. About 50 Indians that read Dawn are not representative of 1.2 billion people. In media Pakistan is rarely ever discussed. Most young Indians barely know anything about Pakistan. And yes, we are happy too!

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