Odisha among least happy States in country: survey

Bhubaneswar: Amidst battle against COVID-19 pandemic, Odisha is found among least happy states in a nationwide survey.

As per India Happiness Report 2020 released by Professor Rajesh K Pillania, Odisha has been placed 34th in the list of 36 States and Union Territories.

While Mizoram, Punjab and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among top three in the list of overall happiness ranking of State and UTs, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh are found at the bottom.

Similarly, Punjab, Gujarat and Telangana are among the top three larger states in happiness rankings.

As per the survey, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana are the worst-affected States due to COVID-19, whereas Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir are neutral.

The survey was conducted to measure people’s happiness, impact of COVID-19 on happiness, people’s relationship, health, religious and spiritual orientation covering 16,950 people across India between March and July 2020.

Here’s the list:

Top 3 in overall happiness ranking:

Mizoram
Punjab
Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Among the big states:

Punjab
Gujarat
Telangana

Among smaller states:

Mizoram
Sikkim
Arunachal Pradesh

Among union territories:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Puducherry
Lakshadweep

3 states at the bottom:

Odisha
Uttarakhand
Chhattisgarh