"Happiness is in my genes" — Lalu Prasad Yadav

When informed of his selection by the Indian public in the Complete Wellbeing-Synovate survey [published in Complete Wellbeing December 2008], the railway minister was genuinely pleased. As always, he had many interesting things to say…

In an all-India survey, people of India have chosen you as their “Role Model of Happiness” amongst the politicians in India. How does it feel?

[Breaks into a big smile and looks at party members sitting next to him] Naturally, it would make anyone feel good. I too am feeling good and happy about it. I thank the people for choosing me as the happiest politician in the country.

Why do you think the people of India have chosen you?

Because I am always jolly. Happiness has come to me genetically. It is in my genes. The placement of stars in my horoscope also indicates that I will always remain jolly. At the same time, I am the man of the masses. I have come from the grassroots. I have seen and experienced poverty and know what makes a poor man happy.

That is why I strive to give voice to the poor and the deprived. I always fight for the backbenchers and it has been my effort to bring them to the front row.

How would you rate your happiness quotient on a scale of 100?

It would not be appropriate if I rated my own self. The people of India have already rated me and put me on the top. So, you can infer that they have given me 100 out of 100.