Interview: Delhi University Alumni Kiran Bedi on DU Craze, Career in IPS, Alcohol and Drug Addiction in Youth & More

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Updated on Jan 17, 2024 10:35 IST

‘The Lady of Steel’ Kiran Bedi needs no introduction. Kiran Bedi’s life journey has galvanized many women to fulfill their dream. Her demeanour of a tough woman with indefatigable stamina inclined her towards the Indian Police Services. Kiran Bedi, who became the first woman Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1972 and was the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in an exclusive telephonic interview with Shiksha.com.

India’s first woman IPS officer, Kiran Bedi’s complete career graph reflects her passion for academics. She was raised in a family that valued education. Speaking about her inclination towards academics, Kiran Bedi says, ‘’I love education. I started my career as a lecturer in Khalsa college for women in Amritsar.’’ Kiran Bedi, who pursued a Law degree from Delhi University says, ‘’Yes because I love education. And love to learn more and more. I even did a doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) from IIT Delhi.’’

There are several eminent Delhi University alumni who are excelling in their respective fields. Sharing her opinion on the growing craze of Delhi University among youth, Kiran Bedi says, ‘’Delhi University has a great faculty. It has great infrastructure many prestigious colleges as well. Also it is the capital.’’

Very few know that her frequent visit to the Service Club in Amritsar and interaction with senior civil servants became the motivating factor of the young girl to take up a public service career. Sharing her motivation for the IPS, she says, ‘’I was a family and self-motivated person. Driven by the zeal of being self-reliant and be of value to society.’’ But the graph of women in IPS needs to be grow a little more. Talking about the deficit of women in IPS, she says, “The deficit is because women started late. All these years they have been held back by parents and society and they themselves. Now all three are changing.’’

Kiran Bedi in an attempt to motivate woman to take up IPS, says, ‘’Get into it with a missionary spirit of changing things for the better. To serve the society and the nation in true spirit. One of maximum giving.’’

Apart from her service as an IPS, she was also associated with various social causes. In fact, Kiran Bedi and social reforms are synonymous to each other. With the help of several foundations, Bedi had brought reforms in various fields such as police, prison, women empowerment and rural and community development. Highlighting the same, she says, ‘’Social work is serving and empowering. I love doing so. It’s my nature. I am a people’ person. ‘’

Not just this, but the talent house Kiran Bedi has penned several acclaimed books titled ''Fearless Governance'', ''It's always possible'', ''Himmat Hai'', ''Empowering Women'', ''As I See'' and many more. Talking about her passion for writing, she says, ‘’And I write to express myself. I am very happy in communication. Also to document the work for posterity.’’ Sharing some tips to the emerging writers, she adds, ‘’They must have a fire in the belly to tell and try to express something of interest.’’

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She is not just a social reformer and social commentator, but has also worked to eradicate various serious problems from the society. There existed rampant drug issue in North District of Delhi where she was posted as a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in 1986. Talking about her initiatives against drug abuse among youth, she says, ‘’I did so to prevent crimes as prevention. Because drug leads on to commit crimes for money etc.”

Further sharing her opinion on the hazardous drinking culture among youth, Kiran Bedi says, ‘’It is majorly due to peer pressure. And lack of direction among youth.’’ Although this is one of the serious concerns among youth it is not hard to get rid of. As per Bedi, ‘’Personal discipline is the key’’ to get rid of alcohol and drug addiction in youth.

Apart from her glorious career and persona, another key attracting point of her personality is her short hair look. Very few know that at the tender age of nine she started playing tennis and became a national champion as well. Her love of tennis somewhere was the reason of her short hair look. Revealing some more hidden facts about the same, she says, ''Yes I cut my hair to make playing easy and comfortable.’’ Further on a lighter note she added because of my short hair ‘’I could shower anytime. And stay cool as well.’’

Kiran Bedi, is known to speak on the need for women education on several occasions, once quoted, ‘’Many years ago, when I was born in the '50s - '50s and '60s didn't belong to girls in India. They belonged to boys. They belonged to boys who would join business and inherit business from parents, and girls would be dolled up to get married.’’

The first-ever IPS officer in India, attributes her success to her parents. Highlighting the same Kiran Bedi says, ‘’It was easy for me as I grew up playing lots of competitive tennis. I was fit and strong. My family nurtured and nourished me to do so. My mother and father were passionate about education and sports. They gave everything to us to be champions and scholars. It’s their hard work.’’ Kiran Bedi signs off by sharing her well wishes.

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Arpta Singh