Kiran Bedi is India's first and highest ranking woman Indian Police Officer. Before retiring in 2007, she was UN Police Advisor to the Secretary General in Peacekeeping department. She is the recipient of more than 20 prestigious awards including Ramon Magsaysay and a UN Medal. Along the way she also founded two NGOs, Navjyoti and India Vision.
With defence and security being the prime concerns in India today, Bedi has not stopped contributing in this regard even after retirement. At a conference earlier this month, she has created a common platform for the policemen to interact better amongst themselves, crossing the borders of geography, rank, or service, about issues of internal security or any other matters of concern in the spirit of 'shared responsibility'.
India also faces other diverse challenges. For example, the need of the hour is a well shielded system for supporting and safeguarding the rights of women and children, especially the girl child, the elderly and those in need. With problems of drug abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, wife beating and dowry on the rise, service minded people like Kiran Bedi have their work cut out for them.
Kiran Bedi is a woman who dares in a male dominant society, where woman has been traditionally considered a synonym of sacrifice. An individual of gut and epitome of intelligence, she has done her utmost to reform the Indian system of governance. The best known and documented of her accomplishments has been in bravely transforming the Tihar jail in New Delhi and reforming the prisoners there through spiritual lessons, detoxification programs, yoga, vipassana meditation, building a huge library, training minds though graduate courses and bringing a change in them from within.
A documentary film on Bedi, Megan Donerman's "Yes Madam, Sir", premiered at Toronto International Film Festival recently. It has portrayed her career as a diehard police officer who has handled difficult cases one after the other and brought about justice, discipline and order in chaotic and worst assignments. It throws light on the corruption that Bedi has fought in her years in office. Eventually, the film showcases her strength as she wins the fight against corruption through her noble actions, bringing much appreciation to India.
Late this month, Kiran Bedi will start being anchor and judge on a reality television show in India called Aap Ki Kachehri (Your Court) where issues such as domestic violence, family/property disputes, which are corroding Indian society, will be discussed and possible solutions offered.
She is the wife of Brij Bedi and the mother of one, Saina. As a young woman from Amritsar, she excelled in sports as a National and an Asian tennis champion.
She has made things happen by spreading light with dignity and taking people from darkness and ignorance to reality.
SATimes spoke to Mrs Bedi about some key issues facing India as she launched the e-initiative for cops. Excerpts:
When did you join the Indian Police Service (IPS) and what was your inspiration?
I joined the service in 1972. My inner inspiration to serve the society from a position of power was the route I took. I believed in the power to change. And IPS stands me for that.
What steps have been taken in the past few years to improve security for women in India?
All my policing years and my NGOs were and are totally focused exactly on this.
Specifically and generally. I have responded as per the special needs of the community. Women needed that and they got it. I always sought out for women with initiative to be placed in the right place so that they feel fulfilled.
Winner of more than 20 prestigious awards including Ramon Magsaysay, President's Gallantry award, to name a few, you have contributed immensely in crime prevention, drug abuse, police and prison reforms. Can we go over the highlights?
* Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, 1994: Reforms in Tihar Jail (India's largest prison complex) which have lead to its inmates following a routine of study, work and meditation were a breakthrough.
* Women's peace committees, set up at my initiative, promoted neighborhood harmony. As community participation rose, crimes fell. Observing the link between drug addiction and chronic criminality, community-supported detoxification clinics were set up, a model which was later used for wider application when I took over as deputy director of the Narcotics Control Bureau. Crime control, drug rehabilitation, and humane prison reform were three key issues that were addressed.
* Received Police Medal for Gallantry by the President of India for conspicuous courage.
* Received Lifetime Achievement Award 2008 from Bank of Baroda for continuing commitment to the underprivileged and giving a new chapter in the history of Indian Police Force.
* Received Asia – Region Award 1991 for work done in the field of Drug Abuse Prevention by International Organization of Good Templars (IOGT), a Norway based organisation.
* Given "Woman of the Year" Award 2002 by the Blue Drop Group Management, Cultural and Artistic Association, Italy.
* The Joseph Beuys Foundation Award 1997 for Holistic and Innovative Management, and the Morrison Tom Gitchoff Award 2001 for actions that have significantly improved the quality of justice in India.
What were some of the outcomes of the conference on September 1?
For the first time in India we have created a common platform for the cops to come together as closed community. A seamless national platform has been created to enable 'all cops' to interact better amongst themselves, crossing the borders of geography, rank, or service, about issues of internal security or any other matters of concern in the spirit of 'shared responsibility'. It is hoped that the e-space will enhance collective appreciation of policing issue.
This is the open space for 'shared responsibility' for citizens of the country.
Safety and Security is not an exclusive duty of only our security services. It is a 'shared responsibility'.
The community can share their opinions, suggestions, recommendations and post on the site. Approved ideas will be forwarded to the concerned authorities for implementation.
For children of policemen, three key initiatives have been taken:
* To focus on kids of cops to take to Information Technology.
* Enable Education and Training
* Award Scholarships to the deserving
E-complaints can now be lodged at www.saferindia.com Toll free: 1800-11-5100
Which books have you written and what is the theme of each?
1. What Went Wrong: Unique collection of uncensored narrations volunteered by individuals who had nothing to declare but their wrong past. The real life experiences provide readers a close insight into lives they may otherwise ignore, be unaware of or have no access to.
2. It's Always Possible: A book on Tihar and its transformation from criminality to humanity. The book is a result of the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship, awarded to me in the year 1994. The book focuses on Tihar, one of the largest prisons in the world. It has three sections, the first being, 'What existed' which describes the conditions which prevailed in Tihar when I had taken charge. The second section, 'What evolved' describes the holistic transformation of the prison system which put Tihar on the road to reforms. 'What emerged', the third section of the book, is a graphical representation of the methodology followed for changing Tihar.
The book is accompanied by a CD ROM. It's Always Possible has been released in eight cities in the US, the United Kingdom and at the International Book fair at Harare, Zimbabwe. The Australian edition of the book was realised after visits to prisons of Australia. The book also has a Bangladesh edition.
3. As Kiran Sees It...This is a compilation of real experiences about police service, women and national issues, education and patriotism to name a few.
All proceeds of this book go to Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation, for education and upbringing of children in need.
4. A book titled Kiran Bedi —The Kindly Baton, has been authored by Dr Meenakshi Saksena, Reader in the Department of Psychology, Indraprastha College, Delhi University. There is also my biography, I Dare, published by UBS Publishers, and written by Parmesh Dangwal.
My real experiences also feature in:
* Government@net co-authored with Sandeep Srivastava and Parminder Jeet Singh.
* May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller
* Women in Indian Police by Shamim Aleem
* A study— Women in Asia published by UNESCO.
What are your plans for the future of India especially upliftment of women?
It will all depend on the nurturance and education. And then how they use both.
Where is the root of all problems - Within individuals, education and upbringing or in the overall system?
Mind sets or attitudes. Which we are all a product of.
Do you think India is still a male dominant society?
Of course it still is. When it comes to marriage, or homes, or economic decisions. Or even child bearing. And then on appointments and key positions.
How would you compare 21st century US to 21st century India? What can we learn and what can we teach?
We need to govern better and give to the country younger breed of leaders--men and women. Which means teach public administration like IT to all as well or else we will get left behind because of poor governance.
Log on to www.kiranbedi.com, navjyoti.org, indiavisionfoundation.org, www.indiapolice.in, www.saferindia.in to find out more about Kiran Bedi, make donations for the needy or fight for a cause.
by Nikki Rattan
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