HIS issue of Quality India presents an account of what happened during the National Conclave. In organizational terms, the Conclave turned out to be huge success. There were 900 participants on Day One and 550 on Day Two. Quality has never been so multi-dimensional as presented and experienced during the conclave. On one hand, Quality was referred in context of Governance, including Judiciary, Legislation and Executives, and, on the other, it was deliberated in the sect oral context, including Industry, Education, Health and Public Services. Among the speakers were CEOs, Quality champions and Management Gurus. The Government perspective on Quality was addressed by Hon'ble Mr Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Mr. B.K. Chaturvedi, Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India.

It is a matter of pride for all of us that the Quality Conclave was inaugurated by the President of India. Quality, in conventional terms, is attributed to products, processes, systems and finally to the organisations. The President, right through his address, referred to Quality as a national issue. He began his address by redefining the mission of QCI as 'National Well-being' and summed up his address by saying, “ In essence QCI must become an organisation serving one billion people of the country ”. This is truly the highest level of motivation for all Quality professionals. All of us have to take on facilitating roles and build a network.

Of the seven suggested tasks for QCI, The President listed Quality of Education at the top of the agenda. He referred to Quality of life encompassing Quality education with value system and productive employment. He mentioned about his conversation with the President of Finland, Her Excellency Mrs Tarja Halonen, wherein she had opined that education alone was the key to Finland 's high ranking on the competitiveness index.

The President asked QCI to suggest an accreditation policy for all primary and secondary schools, particularly those run by the Government. This would essentially mean preparing of operational and monitoring guidelines. We have taken this task in right earnest and will evolve such guidelines, which could be adapted as a facilitating structure by the education departments in the country.

The value system in education, of late, has generated a lot of interest. HR professionals talk of IQ, EQ and SQ and link these with age groups. Our own ancient concept of human development goes beyond and refers to four stages: Budhir-Vikasa refers to development of anatomical brain (not the intellectual aspect). This largely comes out of nutritional adequacy and the psychological or emotional stability of a mother. This ceases to develop after first 5-6 years of one's life. The second stage is Manor- Vikasa , which is basically the development of mind. Psychological harmony between members of family/primary schools and a child is essential for the development of the mind, which is considered as the most prominent among the stages of human development. This stage reaches its optimum potential by the age of 10-12 years. This is the age when a student undergoes primary education and a fact that was emphasised by the President. Vyakthir- Vikasa (Personality), which talks of Vidya (knowledge and wisdom) and the Athma- Vikasa (self) are other stages described in our literature.

The Quality Conclave, going by its theme, ‘VISION 2020 for QUALTY INDIA ', has initiated a movement, conscious and sub-conscious. We all have to carry forward on this and present the achievements in the next conclave.