Is there any official day to celebrate even happiness? Many of us may be surprised to know that, yes there is!

The day is celebrated every year on 2Oth March. One may question the need to commemorate a special day for happiness. But, it is all the more important, especially in the times we are living. What we see around us may not seem to cheer us up. Things may not always go as we desire them to go. Besides, there may be depressing happenings not only all over the country, but also all around the world.

The International Day of Happiness is observed to emphasis the need to be happy, even in the face of odds. The United Nations has begun the International Day of Happiness to  spread this message to people around the world.

It was started in 2013, based on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/66/281 adopted on 28 June 2012. The first International Day of Happiness was inaugurated at the TedXTeen conference in New York, by grandson of the late President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Ndaba Mandela and Chelsea Clinton, daughter of the former US President Bill Clinton and US Senator Hillary Clinton.

The UN seeks to spread happiness through various programmes,  by launching various Sustainable Development Goals  for ending poverty, eliminate inequality, and conserve our planet Earth, which are three key ingredients for happiness.

The UN recognizes that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, as also the necessity for an inclusive economic growth. This in turn leads to development and eradicates poverty, and expected to create happiness for all people.

This is not something only one organization can do, so all organizations working at international and regional level, civil society and non-governmental organizations are called for observing the International Day of Happiness in a suitable manner.

On the second International Day of Happiness in 2014,  promotion was done by the United Nations Foundation and American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and film producer Pharrell Williams  with the world's first 24-hour music video with song "Happy".

In  2015, the third International Day of Happiness was commemorated  by United Nations and the United Nations Foundation and again Pharrell Williams. He delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly and declared that "Happiness is your birthright." Further, he requested for action on global climate change.

The other way to commemorate the International Day of Happiness is to trying to find happiness at our individual level. There are various ways, one of them is finding happiness in small things which we have. We can be happier even by learning to value what we posses and learning to let go off the things which are beyond our control. The list can go on and on! What is important is to know where one’s happiness lies and trying to pursue it. Go for it.  

Welcome International Day of Happiness !