Can money buy happiness?
🌊It’s a question that philosophers, economists, and your nosy relatives have debated for centuries. In India, where cultural traditions meet modern aspirations in a whirlwind of chai, startup pitches, and wedding season splendor, the question takes on a particularly vibrant hue. After all, what does happiness mean in a country where a ₹200-crore apartment sale can share headlines with a farmer celebrating a bumper crop?
While money may not directly buy happiness, it can buy things that make life a lot better—security, experiences, and even the ability to help others. The trick lies in spending it wisely. As India charts its ambitious journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat (a developed nation), it must also embrace Pulkit💜 Bharat (a joyous, fulfilled nation) as a necessary, concurrent effort. Economic progress alone is incomplete if not accompanied by emotional well-being. The two are not sequential but complementary, and the pursuit of happiness must run alongside the pursuit of prosperity.
The Power of Experiences Over Things
🎐Let’s get this out of the way: possessions are overrated. That fancy watch or luxury handbag might bring a momentary thrill, but its charm fades as quickly as a phone notification. Experiences, on the other hand, are gifts that keep on giving.
🐷Think about it. A trek in the Himalayas where you nearly froze but laughed with friends? Unforgettable. That road trip to Kerala that tested your patience and strengthened your bond with your family? Priceless. Experiences create memories, build relationships, and offer stories that last a lifetime.
🐻Indians are catching on. Millennials and Gen Z are ditching shopping sprees for yoga retreats, scuba diving trips, and art workshops. Even in smaller towns, families find joy in collective experiences, like festivals and weddings, that bind them together. Experiences connect us to others and to ourselves—something no gadget can replicate.
Finding Peace of Mind Through Security
ꦯIf money can buy anything worthwhile, it’s peace of mind. Worrying about unpaid bills, unexpected medical expenses, or looming debts can crush happiness faster than Delhi traffic ruins a morning commute.
🐎For India’s middle-class families, financial security is more than a practical concern—it’s an emotional need. Savings, insurance, and investments are the safety nets that let you sleep soundly at night. A solid financial foundation doesn’t just protect you from future uncertainties; it frees you to savor the present.
Generosity as a Path to Joy
ღIndia has always been a land of generosity. From the ancient tradition of daan to neighborhood community kitchens, the act of giving has long been central to Indian happiness. But in today’s fast-paced, individualistic world, we’re at risk of losing this practice.
💜Studies show that giving—whether money, time, or resources—brings as much joy to the giver as it does to the receiver. It connects us to a larger purpose, strengthens social bonds, and reminds us of our shared humanity.
♉Generosity doesn’t have to mean billion-dollar philanthropy (though hats off to the Azim Premjis of the world). It can be as simple as helping a neighbor in need, contributing to a local school, or supporting a friend’s small business. Every small act of kindness creates ripples of happiness that extend far beyond the moment.
Strengthening Relationships Through Thoughtful Spending
꧑In India, family is the cornerstone of happiness. But wealth, when poorly handled, can strain even the closest bonds. Stories of families torn apart by inheritance disputes or emotional disconnects within affluent households are cautionary tales.
🔯Money, when spent thoughtfully, can bridge gaps instead of widening them. Use it to plan family vacations, host gatherings, or surprise loved ones with thoughtful gestures. After all, relationships are the real treasures of life. They don’t depreciate, and they don’t require EMIs.
Escaping the Comparison Trap
🏅The neighbor’s bigger car. The friend’s glossier vacation photos. The colleague’s luxurious apartment. Welcome to the joy-sucking vortex of comparison, where someone else’s highlight reel makes your life feel inadequate.
🗹Social media has amplified this ancient human habit to unhealthy levels. But here’s the truth: chasing someone else’s version of happiness is a losing game. True joy lies in defining success on your own terms. Maybe it’s financial freedom, or spending more time with family, or simply having the time to read a good book. Whatever it is, make it your own—and let the rest slide.
Aligning Spending With Purpose
♒Want your money to truly make you happy? Spend it in ways that reflect your values. Support causes you care about. Invest in sustainable products. Spend on activities that nurture your passions.
🍒The Japanese have a word for this: ikigai. It’s about finding purpose in the things you do. When spending aligns with your deeper beliefs, it transforms money into a source of pride, meaning, and lasting happiness.
Turning Setbacks Into Lessons
𓆉Happiness isn’t about avoiding setbacks; it’s about adapting to them. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, but those moments often reveal what matters most. Simple joys—cooking at home, spending time with family, or enjoying a quiet walk—remind us that fulfillment isn’t always found in extravagant pursuits.
꧋Pulkit Bharat doesn’t require a perfect life. It requires the ability to find happiness in imperfect circumstances. Setbacks aren’t roadblocks; they’re reminders to slow down, reassess, and move forward with greater clarity.
Blending Tradition and Modernity
𝓡India’s spiritual traditions offer timeless lessons on happiness. Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita emphasize balance, detachment from material desires, and the pursuit of inner peace. Modern aspirations—owning a home, excelling in a career—drive India’s growth story. Pulkit Bharat is about blending these two perspectives.
♒It’s about enjoying the comforts of modern life without losing sight of the timeless wisdom that happiness is an internal state. A luxury car is nice, but so is singing folk songs with your grandmother on a winter evening.
Spreading Collective Happiness
ﷺHappiness in India has always been collective, not just individual. It’s found in shared meals, neighborhood festivals, and community efforts. Pulkit Bharat will thrive when people invest in the well-being of their neighbors, colleagues, and even strangers.
🃏Pooling resources to improve schools, ensuring clean water in villages, or volunteering for a local cause doesn’t just uplift communities—it uplifts individuals, too. Collective happiness is contagious, and it spreads faster than you’d imagine.
Pulkit Bharat Starts Now
꧃The pursuit of Pulkit Bharat must happen alongside the vision for Viksit Bharat. One cannot replace the other. A prosperous society without joy is incomplete, and emotional fulfillment without opportunity is unsustainable.
🦹Pulkit Bharat doesn’t need grand policies or decades of planning. It begins with individuals and families rethinking how they spend, save, and give. By focusing on financial security, giving generously, and nurturing relationships, we can create ripples of happiness that extend across society.
﷽Happiness isn’t just about wealth; it’s about well-being. And a joyous, fulfilled India is something we can all start building—right now.
(O.P. Singh is DGP and Head of Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau.)
