A smile is a powerful reflection of well-being. In the context of creative governance, especially as per the 4P4R Model of Creative Governance smile is an ultimate indicator of successful creative governance.
The 4Ps here stand for Person, Place, Policy, and Partnership. And the 4Rs stand for Rescue, Revive, Revise, and Rebuild.
India is experimenting an ambitious plan to ensure that smiles remain a constant feature on Indian faces. As you can imagine, poor health is one of the most significant threats to smiles globally. It is challenging for an unhealthy person to smile. It is equally challenging for an individual to smile if their near and dear ones are sick. The Indian experiment is aimed at fostering the health and wellness of Indian citizens by making available health related services at scale. To that effect, Indian government has launched a series of initiatives to counteract the health and well-being challenge and restore joy of life among Indians.
While it is still early to draw comprehensive conclusions about the effectiveness of this large-scale experiment, there is much to observe about the direction in which these efforts are progressing. The Indian government has introduced a range of creative initiatives, targeting every stage of life to promote holistic well-being and ensure that smiles are sustained throughout the journey of life.
The famous saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” aptly applies to one of the pioneering efforts, Arogya Setu. This mobile application, developed by the Indian government, is an essential tool for tracking a child’s health milestones from infancy. It facilitates a symbiotic relationship between parents and the government by providing crucial data on vaccination schedules, contact tracing for disease outbreaks, and a nutrition tracker (Poshan). These resources help parents stay informed and equipped to ensure their child’s healthy growth. Keep in mind these are services that a parent cannot provide to a child on their own. Vaccines are not something that a parent can create. Hence, government has stepped in the areas where parents are incapable to provide an equitable chance to their child.
Alongside Arogya Setu, India has also taken significant strides in improving access to affordable healthcare. The government has rolled out an initiative offering high-quality generic medicines at affordable prices, making essential healthcare more accessible to millions. With over 14,000 affordable pharmacy shops already in operation and plans to expand this number to 25,000, the government is working to close the healthcare gap in underserved areas.
India’s investment in digital infrastructure has played a crucial role in supporting healthcare access. The e-Sanjeevani telemedicine services offer citizens the opportunity to receive medical consultations remotely and access hospital services more efficiently. This integration of technology into healthcare delivery is helping to bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare access, enabling individuals across the country to seek medical assistance at their convenience.
As citizens reach retirement age, their health and well-being remain a priority, particularly when they no longer have a steady source of income. To address this, the Ayushman Bharat program ensures that elderly citizens and other eligible individuals can receive free medical procedures up to a specified limit, alleviating the financial burden that often comes with healthcare needs in later life.
This expansive initiative is a part of one of the most significant social experiments ever undertaken to provide relief and improve the health and well-being of the Indian population. What happens when a burden is lifted? You smile. All these creative initiatives are planned and executed as part of creative governance to ensure that a smile remains intact on Indian faces. The broader goal is not just to improve healthcare, but to nurture happiness, balance, and a sense of security for every citizen—at all stages of life. When a government steps in to take care of the fundamental needs of its people, it mirrors the nurturing role of parents: looking after children when they are young and ensuring care for the elderly as they age.
Through these initiatives, the Indian government is fulfilling its duty to its citizens—acting as both a supportive parent and a protective guardian. From childhood to old age, these efforts aim to ensure that the journey of life is filled with health, happiness, and, ultimately, smiles. This is what is called as really walking on the path of duty (Kartavya Path).
While there are numerous other initiatives that complement these efforts, this article highlights just a few key programs that are at the heart of India’s grand social experiment to promote happiness through wellness. It is through these duty-inspired creative governance efforts that the nation aims to create a society where smiles remain a symbol of well-being, hope, and collective progress.
(Dr. Arpan Yagnik is a renowned global consultant and coach on Creativity and Fear)