Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai, during his visit to Bhutan, recalled the film The Lunchbox, saying Ila’s dream of moving to Bhutan reflects the nation’s essence of peace, harmony, and true happiness, which is shared with India.
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BHUTAN: Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai, during his official visit to Bhutan, offered a heartfelt reflection on the deep-rooted harmony and shared spiritual values that connect India and Bhutan. Speaking at the Fifth “Wisdom for Future” Talk Series hosted by the JSW School of Law at the Royal Institute of Management (RIM), the Chief Justice delivered an address on “Courts and Constitutional Governance” that gracefully blended law, philosophy, and cultural kinship.
In a lighter and evocative moment, CJI Gavai recalled the 2013 Bollywood film The Lunchbox to illustrate Bhutan’s image as a land of serenity and happiness.
“I am reminded of the acclaimed Indian film The Lunchbox, in which Ila, a young homemaker in Mumbai, dreams of leaving behind the chaos of city life to move to Bhutan, a land she imagines as peaceful, serene, and truly happy,”
he said.
Drawing from this reference, the Chief Justice reflected on what makes Bhutan so unique, why both its citizens and admirers associate the country with contentment, balance, and a deep sense of well-being.
CJI Gavai observed that Bhutan’s pursuit of Gross National Happiness (GNH) reflects a rare harmony, one that balances material progress with moral and spiritual well-being.
“This sense of harmony, between the material and the moral, between the individual and the collective, lies at the heart of the shared philosophical inheritance that binds India and Bhutan,”
he remarked.
He emphasized that the relationship between the two nations transcends borders, rooted instead in centuries of civilizational ties and shared values shaped by the teachings of Lord Buddha.
“The light of Lord Buddha’s wisdom continues to shine as the torchbearer of moral, spiritual, and cultural peace in both our lands,”
the Chief Justice said.“It reminds us that compassion is strength, balance is wisdom, and global peace is the highest form of progress that our world can achieve.”
Highlighting the depth of the bilateral relationship, CJI Gavai described the India–Bhutan partnership as one of mutual trust, goodwill, and shared progress.
The collaboration between the two nations spans multiple domains, from trade and energy to education, technology, and culture. Beyond institutional partnerships, the Chief Justice underscored the people-to-people connections that truly define the friendship.
“Over 50,000 Indian citizens contribute their expertise in Bhutan, reflecting the deep interdependence, trust, and friendship that define our enduring partnership across every domain of national life,”
he noted.