Chief Justice BR Gavai Reflects on Bhutan's Happiness Philosophy During Official Visit, Drawing Parallels with 'The Lunchbox' Film

New Delhi:

During his four-day official visit to Bhutan, widely recognized as one of the 'happiest' countries globally, Chief Justice BR Gavai referenced the 2013 Bollywood film 'The Lunchbox', starring Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Nimrat Kaur.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law at Thimphu's Royal Institute of Management, he shared that watching this movie prompted him to contemplate what makes Bhutan so distinctive and why it is associated with contentment, balance, and profound well-being.

"The harmony between the material and moral, the individual and collective, forms the foundation of the shared philosophical heritage connecting India and Bhutan," he stated.

"Our relationship transcends borders and spans centuries, nurtured by a common civilizational spirit that finds its most eloquent expression in Lord Buddha's teachings," he added.

In 'The Lunchbox', the character Ila, a young Mumbai homemaker, frequently expresses her desire to escape the noise, chaos, and monotony of urban life for Bhutan, which she envisions as peaceful, serene, and genuinely happy. She tells Saajan Fernandes, the widowed accountant she corresponds with, that Bhutan is the happiest country where she hopes to find happiness.

The Chief Justice also expressed profound admiration for Bhutan's Constitution in his address, noting that its Directive Principles encourage the State to secure a good quality of life for its citizens, promote peace and harmony, and create conditions necessary for Gross National Happiness.

He remarked, "Bhutan offers a constitutional vocabulary that marries justice with joy, rights with responsibilities, and liberty with collective flourishing." He further observed that this framework invites courts to expand their understanding of justice beyond corrective or deterrent functions, toward a jurisprudence valuing compassion and ecological balance.

During his visit, Chief Justice Gavai met with the Chief Justice and Judges of Bhutan's Supreme Court. The two Chief Justices discussed areas of mutual interest, including institutional partnerships, judicial exchanges, and future collaborations.

Chief Justice Gavai reaffirmed the enduring friendship between India and Bhutan and extended an invitation to members of the Bhutanese judiciary to visit India's Supreme Court.

He also planted a sapling within the Bhutanese Supreme Court premises, symbolizing the shared commitment of both judiciaries to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Additionally, he reiterated India's commitment to supporting the Bhutanese judiciary through initiatives aimed at enhancing technological capacity and system integration.