The Forum of Free Enterprise is a non-political organization founded in 1956 by A. D. Shroff, and has been established to educate public opinion in India on free enterprise and a democratic way of life. The Forum publishes booklets to further its objects. The following booklet titled “Citizens’ Participation in Effective Governance” was published on January 5, 2010 and is the textual reproduction of the 21st Bhogilal Leherchand Memorial Lecture by Shailesh Gandhi. Mr. Gandhi critically examines the state of governance in the country. He discusses the gap between the ideals set out by the Constitution makers and the ground reality of contemporary India. He points to the overall lethargy and inefficiency of bureaucratic systems giving the example of the poor functioning of the policy system in the country. In such a system, Mr. Gandhi argues, even honest and capable officers feel disempowered. The lack of modernisation of the bureaucratic system has led to a system that seems incapable of improvement or efficiency. He concludes by proposing that relying on politicians and elected representatives is not the most effective method to bring about change and that informed citizens and civil society must play a more active role in redressing inefficiencies.