Yesterday I was reading an interview of Dr. Bedi published in "Times of India" and suddenly all those memories got revived and i was inspired once again by her life... this time to write this article to show my admiration and gratitude to her for being my role model since childhood !!
Kiran Bedi, a retired controversial IPS Officer and a social activist, was born in Amritsar, Punjab on June 9, 1949. She is the second of the four daughters of her parents, Prakash Lal Peshawaria and Prem Lata Peshawaria. She did her schooling from Amritsar, inherited passion for tennis from her father, joined NCC, earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from Punjab University, Chandigarh, topping the University. Even while in active service in the Indian Police, she continued her educational pursuits, and obtained a Law degree (LLB) in 1988 from Delhi University, Delhi. In 1993, she did her Ph.D. in 'Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence' from the Department of Social Sciences, the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.
She began her career as a Lecturer in Political Science (1970-72) at Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar, India. But she was not satiated with this career and had some more important missions to take on in her life. In July 1972, she joined the Indian Police Service... as she states she joined the police service
"because of my urge to be outstanding".
She served in a number of tough assignments ranging from Traffic Commissioner of New Delhi, Deputy Inspector General of Police in insurgency prone Mizoram, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Chandigarh, Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau and also on a United Nations deputation, where she became the Civilian Police Advisor in the United Nations peacekeeping department,and for which she was awarded with the UN medal. She is popularly referred to as
Crane Bedi for towing the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's car for a parking violation (the PM was on tour of United States then).
The path to success and glory has never been smooth... but the respect, adulation and accolade that you receive in return evens out the rough and coarse path... Dr. Bedi's life also has been full of controversies but they are a part and parcel of being a pioneer.. aren't they?
Her excellent PR work for her prison reforms policies lead to her winning, the 1994 Ramon Magsaysay Award. Subsequently, she has founded two NGOs in India: Navjyoti for welfare and preventive policing in 1987[2] and India Vision Foundation for prison reforms, drug abuse prevention, child welfare in 1994.
She voluntarily retired from IPS in December, 2007. After retirement she has launched a new website,
www.saferindia.com The motto of this website is to help people whose complaints are not accepted by the local police. This project is undertaken by the non-profit, voluntary and non-government organization, India Vision Foundation. She is also hosting the TV show
Aap Ki Kachehri Kiran Ke Saath on Star Plus.
Outstanding... yes she is... A Super Cop... A Super Human...
"The Motivating Bedi" - A Woman of Substance !!!I salute her for being such a wonderful woman... Do you ?
(Information Source : Wikipedia)
Want to know more about her ? Here are some links...
Kiran Bedi on WikipediaKiran Bedi's WebsiteKiran Bedi's Blog