The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was first introduced in Bhutan.

Introduction:
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a development philosophy that emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being rather than solely focusing on economic growth. It was first introduced in Bhutan, a small landlocked country in South Asia, by its fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in the early 1970s. The concept of GNH has gained international recognition and has been widely discussed and studied as an alternative measure of progress and development.

Origin in Bhutan:
1. Bhutan, known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a country nestled in the Himalayas. It has a unique approach to development, guided by the principles of GNH. The idea behind GNH is deeply rooted in Bhutanese culture and values, which prioritize collective happiness and well-being over material wealth.
2. The implementation of GNH in Bhutan can be traced back to the 1970s when the then King Jigme Singye Wangchuck coined the term. He challenged the conventional notion of development based solely on economic indicators and proposed a more holistic approach that includes psychological, social, and environmental dimensions of well-being.
3. The king emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with the preservation of culture, protection of the environment, and promotion of good governance. He envisioned GNH as a guiding principle that would shape the country's policies and development strategies.

Components of GNH:
1. The four pillars of GNH: Bhutan's approach to measuring progress and development is based on four pillars, namely sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the environment, and good governance.
2. Nine domains of GNH: These pillars are further divided into nine domains that encompass various aspects of well-being, including psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity and resilience, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, living standards, and good governance.

Impact and Global Recognition:
1. Bhutan's focus on GNH has gained international recognition and has influenced discussions on alternative measures of progress and development. It has sparked debates on the limitations of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the sole indicator of a nation's well-being.
2. The United Nations has acknowledged the importance of GNH and passed a resolution encouraging member states to follow Bhutan's example and consider happiness and well-being as important indicators of development.
3. GNH has also influenced policy discussions in other countries, with several nations adopting similar approaches and incorporating well-being indicators into their national development plans.

Conclusion:
The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was first introduced in Bhutan by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being and encompasses various dimensions such as social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. GNH has gained international recognition and has influenced discussions on alternative measures of progress and development, challenging the dominance of economic indicators like GDP. Bhutan's focus on GNH has inspired other countries to adopt similar approaches and consider happiness and well-being as essential components of development.