Launched on the International Day of Older Persons, the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness at FLAME University witnessed the presence of Ms. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra; Prof. S. Irudaya Rajan, Chair, International Institute of Migration and Development; and Shri Vallabh Bhanshali, Governing Body Member, FLAME University, amongst others.    

Key outcomes:

• State policymakers can collaborate with FLAME University to further the research on wellbeing and happiness

• Launched on International Day of Older Persons, the Centre will conduct a study on Indian centenarians, a population of over 20,000 people in India and yet a deeply under-researched topic

• The Centre will also research on what does wellbeing mean as a society and the ways to measure it and will collaborate with government and policymakers to impact change at a societal level based on their research on wellbeing

October 9, 2024, Pune: FLAME University launched its newly established research centre, the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness (CRWBH), on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. The inauguration was graced with the presence of Ms. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra; Prof. S.V. Subramanian, Professor of Population Health and Geography, Harvard University; and Prof. S. Irudaya Rajan, Chair, International Institute of Migration and Development, among others.

The Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness will foster interdisciplinary thoughts encompassing subjective aspects of wellbeing through a social science lens. A pioneering research initiative of FLAME University, the Centre aims to explore the subjective components of wellbeing within the Indian setting, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between more qualitative aspects of wellbeing and objective metrics such as economic and social indicators. With a strong interdisciplinary research agenda, the CRWBH aims to incorporate these measures into academic and policy frameworks. It embodies FLAME University’s goal to serve as a platform that unites policymakers, bureaucrats, industry leaders, and academics, fostering groundbreaking research and innovation.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, said, “I would like to congratulate FLAME University for creating the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness. We look forward to supporting the Centre as it studies and measures happiness and wellbeing parameters in the Indian setting, a crucial indication in guaranteeing quality of life.”

Shri Vallabh Bhanshali, Governing Body Member, FLAME University, shared, “At FLAME University, true progress is not measured by just economic growth but by collective well-being and happiness. The Centre is one such example of that. It shows our commitment towards holistic development and aims to provide innovative research and insights that can help create policies for a more balanced and fulfilled society.”

Prof. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University, said, "When we speak of an equitable society, wellbeing is at the heart of it. At FLAME, the Centre will study wellbeing to gauge the success of our policies. Coming from an interdisciplinary school of thought, the Centre's focus on both subjective and objective measures of wellbeing will lead to a better understanding of the human experience, and its findings will impact both policy frameworks and academic discourses to promote more harmony in society.”

The event also featured a panel discussion on ‘Measurement of Wellbeing: Issues and Challenges’ where the focus was on behavioral economics at the intersection of sustainability and wellbeing, highlighting the Centre’s mission to create a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing in today’s fast-evolving world. Prof. Udaya Shankar Mishra, Professor, International Institute for Population Sciences; Dr. Sunil Rajpal, Director of the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness and Faculty of Economics, FLAME University; Dr. William Joe, Assistant Professor at the Population Research Centre, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi; Dr. Tulika Tripathi, Associate Professor, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar; Dr. Yugank Goyal, Associate Professor of Public Policy, FLAME University; and Prof. Aparna Shankar, Professor of Psychology, FLAME University were a part of this panel discussion.

The inauguration concluded with a collaborative session on wellbeing and sustainability, featuring academic contributions from FLAME University’s faculty and invited experts.