India's population is second only to China in the world, but its GDP is less than a fraction of that of China, so its per capita GDP is one sixth of that of China. India's GDP per capita has just exceeded $65,438+0,000, which is equal to or even lower than that of many African least developed countries. Looking at this data alone, India is extremely poor, as are many big cities in India, such as Mumbai, where more than half of the people live in slums.
However, according to the world happiness index survey, Indian happiness index is very high, far higher than China and even higher than developed countries. 90% of Indians say that if there is an afterlife, they will be Indians rather than people from other countries, because they think Indians are the best and happiest.
Moreover, we see a large number of homeless people, poor people and children on the streets of India. Most of their faces are smiles, which shows that they are really happy. This is completely different from our imagination. We may think that Indians are poor enough to live in dire straits, but they are still on the contrary and live well. So why on earth is this? Actually, it's mainly three o'clock.
First, religious factors.
Most people in India believe in Hinduism, but the difference between Hinduism and Buddhism, Christianity and Christianity is that they emphasize "penance" and think that suffering is a gift from heaven, that is, happiness. Only by suffering more can they enter heaven and get better treatment in the afterlife. So we can see why there are so many ascetic monks in India and why there are so many smiling people. Because from their hearts, this is not suffering, it is practice, so they will not feel pain, but will be relaxed and happy.
The second is fairness.
There is a saying in ancient China that "poverty doesn't matter, suffering from inequality", that is, poverty doesn't matter, and society is fair. Therefore, this has been done very well. For every stratum of society, everyone has achieved social justice. This is also the so-called democratic system left over from British colonial rule. In India, everyone is equal and there is no discrimination under any circumstances.
For example, if the disabled account for 8%, then 8% positions must be reserved for them in civil servants and social work. And everyone in India has the right to participate in any political activities and do anything. In the face of all choices, giving everyone is equal. Moreover, India's ethnic groups are more complicated. Almost every nation has its own party and its own channel. So, like China more than 40 years ago, everyone is poor, but they are all poor and happy.
Third, there is no pressure.
Although India is poor, it has inherited two good things from the British: free medical care and equal education. The two biggest problems have been solved. India implements free medical care, and the poor can afford it no matter how poor they are. It doesn't cost much to go to public hospitals, and because there are generic drugs, the drug price is very cheap, so Indians have no pressure to see a doctor.
In terms of education, more than 90% of students in India attend public schools, and India's annual expenditure on education accounts for 4% of GDP, which makes the learning cost from kindergarten to university very low. Even universities can basically spend a few dollars, which is basically free for the poor. Therefore, although Indians are poor, they have no insecurity and no pressure. So although Indians are poor, they feel happy and not bitter.