FLAME University launches Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness

The newly established Centre aims to bridge the gap between qualitative and quantitative aspects of wellbeing, focusing on Indian centenarians

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New Delhi: On the International Day of Older Persons, FLAME University inaugurated the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness (CRWBH), marking a step towards advancing research in this vital area. 
The CRWBH aims to explore the subjective aspects of wellbeing in the Indian context, particularly focusing on the study of Indian centenarians. It focuses on bridging the divide between qualitative aspects of well-being and quantitative metrics, such as economic and social indicators. With a robust interdisciplinary research agenda, the Centre aspires to integrate these findings into both academic and policy frameworks. This initiative reflects FLAME University’s commitment to creating a collaborative platform for policymakers, bureaucrats, industry leaders, and academics to drive impactful research and innovation.
The Centre will also study Indian centenarians—a group exceeding 20,000 individuals that has remained largely under-researched—and aims to collaborate with state policymakers to enhance research on wellbeing and happiness, providing insights into what wellbeing means for society and how it can be measured effectively.
The launch event featured esteemed guests, including Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra; Prof. S.V. Subramanian from Harvard University; and Prof. S. Irudaya Rajan, Chair of the International Institute of Migration and Development.
During her address, Sujata Saunik commended FLAME University for establishing the Centre, expressing optimism about its potential to study happiness and wellbeing parameters essential for ensuring quality of life. 
Vallabh Bhanshali, a Governing Body Member of the University, emphasized, “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 of FLAME University, highlighted the importance of studying wellbeing to evaluate policy success. He noted that the Centre’s interdisciplinary approach will integrate subjective and objective measures of wellbeing, ultimately aiming to foster greater harmony in society.
“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 inauguration included a panel discussion titled “Measurement of Wellbeing: Issues and Challenges,” where experts from various institutions explored the intersections of behavioral economics, sustainability, and wellbeing. Panelists included Prof. Udaya Shankar Mishra from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Dr. Sunil Rajpal from FLAME University, and Dr. William Joe from the Institute of Economic Growth, among others.
The event concluded with collaborative sessions focused on wellbeing and sustainability, showcasing academic contributions from FLAME University’s faculty and invited experts, reinforcing the Centre’s mission to create a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing in today’s rapidly changing world.