"Gross National Happiness, or GNH, evolved over centuries in Bhutan but was launched formally in 1972 as an economic alternative by then-King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. At the time, he was criticized for overseeing the stagnation of one of the world's smallest economies based mainly on agriculture and forestry. As a result, the former king shifted focus of development from productivity to human well-being in four areas: sustainable economic development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the environment, and good governance.  Since then, government policy in Bhutan has been guided by GNH principles in a succession of five-year plans"

“...as far as you, my people, are concerned, you should not adopt the attitude that whatever is required to be done for your welfare will be done entirely by the government. On the contrary, a little effort on your part will be much more effective than a great deal of effort on the part of the government...”

“We are convinced that we must aim for contentment and happiness. Whether we take five years or 10 to raise the per capita income and increase prosperity is  not  going  to  guarantee  that  happiness,  which includes  political stability, social harmony, and the Bhutanese culture and way of life.”

“...children are our treasures. They hold the promise of the future and therefore, it is only right that they should be given every opportunity to develop their physical, mental and spiritual potential to the fullest extent in an environment free of want and free of fear...”

“Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.”

“His Majesty ruled the  country from 1972 to 2006 during which Bhutan saw  an unprecedented  peace,  security,  prosperity  and  happiness.  His Majesty emerged as one of the greatest leaders in Asia; and for his leadership,  he  was named  as  one  of  the  Time Magazine’s  top  4 hundred ‘People Who Shape Our World’ in 2006. His Majesty was a humble and  selfless leader for  whom the welfare of  the people always stood above his own.”

“The king of the Himalayan state of Bhutan announced the end of a century of absolute royal rule yesterday with the publication of a draft constitution to establish a multiparty democracy.  King Jigme Singye Wangchuck said that by the end of the year his 700,000 subjects would be given the right to elect two houses of parliament, whose members would be empowered to impeach the monarch by a two-thirds vote... The British-educated King Jigme, who succeeded at the age of 16 in 1972, said an absolute monarchy was an anachronism.”