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y the time this issue is released, the new government would have assumed charge. India has the distinction, among developing nations, for having one of the most effective election systems in place, and one which has been time-tested and institutionalised. Free and fair election in a democratic set-up is the best way to empower citizens and the society at large, except with a rider that citizens are literate and conscious of their voting rights.

As we realised, there was no popular issue during these elections, and in any case no emotive issue. This is a sign of a maturing electoral system. Citizens are not being carried away any more by those temporary spikes (onion price rise). It sets the stage for citizens to be focused on GOVERNANCE, and that should remain the only issue in all times to come.

This is easier said than done. We first need to define what governance is all about and how it relates to the common man. This could then be promoted through sustained campaign like Pulse Polio or Jago Grahak Jago.

Quality Council of India has been entrusted with pursuing the National Quality Campaign, with the overall objective being "Quality for National Well Being". The campaign is beginning to show results in some of the key areas which directly concern the common man, that is Health, Education and Public Services. Besides, QCI has taken major initiatives in assisting governments and regulators by extending the third party conformity assessment structure to comply with regulatory requirements.

Although there is a long way to go, there is the beginning of a realisation among all stakeholders that regulatory quality is the key to good governance. As I said above, this needs a very focused and sustained campaign.

In order to improve effectiveness of the campaign, and to increase its reach, QCI has taken a decision to bring all key players in the area of quality under one umbrella. The Governing Body of QCI, under the chairmanship of Mr Ajay Shankar, IAS, Secretary-IPP, has resolved to enlarge the Council from the existing 31 members to 38 members, by including representatives from manufacturing and service sector associations like ACMA, IEEMA, and NASSCOM, and also representatives from quality professional bodies.

This has come with the belief that India has the power to provide leadership to the world in quality. We are in a position to influence the direction on quality, instead of just absorbing whatever happens in the West. We can play this important role only and only if we unite and function as one, and hence this move.

Alongside, QCI shall be launching professional membership, open to organisations as well as individuals who are keen to join the revised national quality campaign aimed at National Well Being. The membership will help them take ownership of the campaign in a formal manner. Besides, it will help the campaign to reach out to a larger population, and more importantly, to all geographical locations.

Referring to my earlier observation on governance, it has been resolved that QCI will make periodic report cards to the nation (maybe statewise) on the status of quality and publicise the same through media. The report cards, to begin with, will focus on the status of quality in:

• school education;
• public health;
• public services; and,
• environment.

Once citizens begin to have a realisation of these issues, we hope these will become election issues, leading to the emergence of a qualitycentric democracy.