INDIA: PUNE: FACTORY USES LAUGHTER TO COMBAT STRESS AT WORK

Описание: (6 May 1998) Hindi/English/Nat

Job stress is certainly no laughing matter.

But one factory in India is using laughter as a way to combat stress and build better relationships at work.

Based on yoga, laughter therapy appears to be India's answer to a more competitive and stressful world.

This is not the sort of behaviour you would expect to see in a serious workplace.

But for workers at Litaka Industries, laughter is a mandatory part of their daily routine.

At the start of each day they gather for exercises and a few laughs.

No one is spared - not even the company's manager.

For once, workers can laugh in his face rather than behind his back.

Based on the ancient Indian art of yoga, the laughter is designed to help relax workers and strengthen working relationships.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We Indians suffer from a lot of inhibitions. We don't open up. So laughter without reason in a group, it makes you from introvert to extrovert. Then, from bosses to subordinates, if
they laugh together, it will remove the barriers."
SUPERCAPTION: Dr. Madan Kataria, Laughter therapist

When they're not laughing, the workers at this factory are busy working the company's assembly lines.

Litaka is one of India's major pharmaceutical firms.

Its workers are typical of factory workers anywhere.

They do the same mindless tasks everyday.

For eight hours, they listen to the nonstop whine of machines.

And because of India's rigid social structure, there's never a chance to unwind with the boss in a pub after work.

But laughter can change all that, says their therapist.

Not only does it break the ice, laughter helps start the day with positive emotions.

And positive emotions can help combat a variety of stress related diseases, including high blood pressure, insomnia and depression.

Dr Kataria started laughter therapy in 1995- he says people thought he was insane.

But now, with 250 clubs spread throughout the country, laughter therapy has become a serious business.

SOUNDBITE: (Hindi)
"I really enjoyed the laughing and the exercises. I giggle a lot anyway, but after all the silliness, I feel fresh and relaxed. I hope I'm able to laugh the rest of the day away just
like this." (Dissolves into giggles).
SUPERCAPTION: Ruby Walia, worker

SOUNDBITE: (Hindi)
"There are lots of people who have problems and they forget to laugh. They're not able to laugh things off. I think everyone should get this kind of laughter training. Maybe they
won't be so serious afterwards."
SUPERCAPTION: Ravi Samant, worker

Job competition and longer hours are more common in India now, due to a changing economy and competition from foreign companies.

For the first time ever, Indian businesses are paying attention to worker happiness and its links to productivity.

Company managers say laughter therapy has the potential to increase productivity and boost profits.

A happy work force, they say, is a healthy work force - less likely to avoid work or make mistakes.

And for businesses in one of Asia's largest emerging markets, that's certainly nothing to laugh at.

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