'Bhutanese believe in Gross National Happiness'

kolkata: bhutanese do not believe in gross national product (gnp) but in gross national happiness (gnh) - this was the home minister of the royal government of bhutan lyonpo thinley gyamtsho on saturday. gyamtsho came to attend the inaugural session of 'the living religious and cultural traditions of bhutan' - a festival organised at the indian museum auditorium and exhibition hall.the 28-day festival was organised by the royal bhutanese embassy in collaboration with the union ministry of culture, national museum and the indian museum. the festival was inaugurated by the governor of west bengal viren j shah. also present were the state newly appointed chief secretary souren roy and indian museum director shyamal chakraborty. speaking on the occasion, shah stressed the need for strengthening indo-bhutanese relationship on a broad spectrum. "this exhibition will no doubt bolster our efforts," shah added, claiming the exhibition gives one the chance a window to bhutan. the inaugural function was followed by bhutanese cultural programmes - songs and dances from the kingdom of bhutan performed by members of the royal academy of performing arts. the songs and dances included joenpa legso (welcome dance), lingdro (flute dance) and so on.