Health Is Wealth: Why Well-being Matters in India
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Type of homework: Essay Writing
Added: 18.01.2026 at 16:03
Summary:
Discover why health is wealth in India and learn how well-being shapes success, happiness, and prosperity for students and communities alike.
Health is Wealth
“Health is Wealth” is a proverb which has been repeated by our elders for generations, yet its meaning becomes clearer as we observe life around us, especially in today’s India. Now more than ever, the wisdom behind this simple phrase resonates, as our society balances ambition, technology, and tradition. While financial riches and possessions are often chased after, it is undeniable that real happiness springs from sound health—physical, mental, and social. Through this essay, I will explore how health forms the foundation of all forms of wealth, why it must be prioritised in our lives, and ways in which individuals, communities, and governments in India can work to preserve this invaluable resource.---
The Inseparable Link: Health and Wealth
Health has always been considered a priceless asset in Indian philosophy and daily life. Ancient texts, such as the Charaka Samhita and the Ayurveda, emphasise that when one's body and mind are harmoniously balanced, prosperity follows naturally. The Mahabharata too contains tales of kings and sages who valued health over gold and jewels. When we closely observe the examples in our families and communities, it is clear that good health not only enables individuals to pursue wealth but also determines their ability to enjoy it.Let us take the example of a successful businessman who, despite amassing enormous riches, is forced to restrict his movements and diet due to chronic ailments like diabetes or high blood pressure. Contrast this with an elderly teacher living a simple yet active life, enjoying walks in the park, community gatherings, and homemade food. The latter, although not “wealthy” by economic standards, embodies contentment and joy that many affluent people with poor health might envy.
Money can certainly provide access to top hospitals, medications, and consultations with renowned doctors. However, as Indians increasingly face lifestyle-related diseases—like heart conditions and obesity—one realises that no amount of financial outlay can always restore the vitality lost due to years of neglect. Medical expenses can drain even the largest purses, and poor health often leads to absenteeism at work or loss of livelihood, especially in lower-income rural settings where daily wages depend on physical labour.
So, in a real sense, health is a form of wealth which underpins all other achievements. It is the first and most persistent blessing for every student dreaming of a future, every worker supporting a family, and every elder seeking peace in their later years.
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The Many Facets of Health: Body, Mind, and Society
While people tend to equate health with the absence of illness, it encompasses much more. The World Health Organization, and our traditional Indian systems, define health as a state where an individual is physically strong, mentally resilient, and socially harmonious.Physical Health
Indian meals, when prepared traditionally, are rich in vegetables, whole grains, legumes like dal and chana, dairy, and fruits—ingredients that provide essential vitamins and minerals. Our grandmothers’ advice to eat more home-cooked meals and drink plenty of water is rooted in sound science. Regular exercise, too, has deep roots. Practices such as yoga, originating from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, have gained worldwide recognition for their ability to keep the body flexible and disease-resistant. Apart from asanas and stretching, even daily activities like cycling to school, playing cricket, or joining in community games keep children and adults physically active.Hygiene also holds a place of honour in Indian culture; rituals of bathing, handwashing before meals, and vaccination drives led by the government all contribute to reducing illness. Events like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) remind us that cleanliness supports both individual and public health.
Mental Health
A strong body means little without a peaceful mind. Yet, discussing stress, anxiety, or depression is still taboo in many parts of our country. As studies show a rise in mental health issues, especially among school and college students, it becomes imperative to embrace ancient techniques such as meditation, chanting, and even simple pranayama (breathing exercises) to regain focus and calm. The Bhagavad Gita’s teachings on equanimity, or maintaining poise amidst success and failure, remain relevant as students and adults alike face pressure in academic and personal life.Awareness is growing, thankfully, and modern clinics as well as helplines now offer counselling. Promoting mental well-being requires acceptance and support from families, teachers, and peers.
Social Wellbeing
Humans are social beings, and health is incomplete without nurturing our relationships. Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid are not just occasions for feasting, but opportunities to strengthen bonds and foster belonging. Volunteering, joining clubs, and maintaining harmony at home enhances emotional health. In stressful times, a supportive social network can help one recover from illness or emotional setbacks much faster.---
Why Health Comes Before Wealth
Many people spend precious years accumulating money, sacrificing family dinners, sleep, and personal time, only to discover that wealth cannot revive damaged health. Consider famous personalities who, despite commanding great resources, continually urge others to value moderation and balance due to their own tough experiences with illness. Dr. Devi Shetty, a renowned Indian cardiologist, often notes that wealthy patients regret neglecting simple habits like daily walks or nutritious meals for the sake of chasing projects and profits.Our scriptures extol a “simple living, high thinking” philosophy. The ancient Ayurvedic approach—laid out in Charaka Samhita—advocates living in harmony with nature and focusing on preventive care instead of merely treating symptoms. Similarly, yoga and meditation do not require money; they are treasures handed down through generations and accessible to all.
Happiness studies conducted in India and abroad reveal that beyond a point, financial increases do not translate into lasting satisfaction. Rather, a sound sleep, laughter with friends, and freedom from pain bring deeper fulfilment. As Gandhiji said, “It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.” These words, spoken decades ago, still ring true as growing income and consumer materialism have not reduced the incidences of stress or chronic disease.
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Practical Steps to Protect Our Health
Preserving good health is neither a secret formula nor requires expensive resources. It is about sincerity to the self and daily discipline. Here are some steps tailored for Indian students and families:Eating Right
Choosing home-cooked meals over packaged chips, soft drinks, or fast food from eateries is a simple but transformative decision. The thali meal—with roti or rice, dal, sabzi, curd, and some pickle—offers a perfect mix. Fruits like guava, oranges, or bananas are affordable and nutritious.Staying Active
While fitness gyms are on the rise, true physical activity can begin at home or in public parks. One does not need a treadmill—brisk morning walks, cycling, or yoga performed in the living room deliver excellent benefits. Regular exercise strengthens muscles, controls weight, and sharpens mental clarity.Caring for Mental Health
Allocating time for music, gardening, or other hobbies reduces stress. Openly talking about worries with parents, friends, or school counsellors should be encouraged. Mindfulness practices, or even brief prayers at the start or end of the day, calm the mind.Avoiding Harmful Substances
Youth in India today face peer pressure to experiment with smoking, drinking, or camouflaged drugs. Public messages by the Indian government, like the ‘No Tobacco Day’ or ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, underline the dangers. Saying “no” is both brave and wise.Emphasising Preventive Care
Routine vaccination, annual check-ups at nearby government clinics, and using schemes like Ayushman Bharat make healthcare accessible to all. Clean water (through checking that overhead tanks and local supplies are hygienic) and sanitation prevent many diseases.Achieving Balance
The Indian teaching of ‘Dinacharya’, or structuring one’s day with writing, prayer, work, and rest, is a timeless guide. Overwork and all-night study marathons might seem necessary but only exhaust our potential in the long run.---
Society and Government: Guardians of Public Health
While personal habits are crucial, broader systems must create an environment where health is valued and protected. Public hospitals, health camps, vaccination drives, and insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat are making a difference, especially in rural and semi-urban India.Education is another pillar. Schools should not treat health as a chapter in textbooks alone, but as something to practise—for example, by including sports, yoga sessions, and workshops on nutrition as part of the regular timetable. Teachers must also talk openly about mental health, helping students to identify stress and seek help early.
Community initiatives led by Panchayats, resident welfare associations, or NGOs have successfully run cleanliness drives, cancer screenings, or eye camps at the grassroots level. Pollution control, safe drinking water supply, and green parks are not luxuries but necessities to support a healthy population.
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Conclusion
To sum up, health is truly the greatest treasure any individual or society can possess. It precedes all riches, career achievements, or social status. Without health, even the most lavish lifestyle loses its appeal; with good health, one can overcome obstacles, work towards prosperity, and enjoy the fruits of labour.In our fast-changing India, where opportunities abound but pressures are high, it is essential for us—students, workers, and leaders alike—to actively invest in our well-being. Remembering and living the proverb “Health is Wealth” is not a mere old saying, but a practical, urgent truth. All of us can play a role: eat well, move more, nurture our minds and relationships, and champion health in our communities. By doing so, we do not just enrich ourselves, but build a healthier, happier India for generations to come.
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