13 Things That Kiran Bedi Did That Broke The Mould And Made Our Society Better

Before the whole AAP fiasco, Kiran Bedi was the stuff role models were made of. The things she has done for this country and her achievements have not been overtaken or even come close to. She became a police officer in an era where women were supposed to have their traditional roles of getting married and looking for their family.

She became a police officer in an era where women were supposed to have their traditional roles of getting married and looking for their family.

Kiran Bedi went one step ahead and looked for our country, and did it in a fashion that left and still leaves people dumbfounded.

She was one of the last police officers who did not align herself with a political party and did her job, because her job called for the action.

Let us take a look at the size of exemplary courage and sense of righteousness she has shown throughout her life and in turn inspired all of us and made us have faith in the system.

 

1. She led the police contingent during Republic Day Parade in 1975, the year she was selected into the IPS cadre

She was the first woman to lead an entire contingent.

 

2. When she was appointed as Deputy Commisioner in Delhi, she reduced crime by 45% in one year

Delhi actually became safe when she sent police officers on beat duty. Beat duty is when police go on patrols throughout the city – either in vehicles or on foot, thereby maintaining a police presence and deterring crime.

 

3. When she was too tough on crime they shifted her to traffic division, and she towed away the car of Indira Gandhi

She gave jackshit about the Red siren culture and the babu culture. She was nicknamed “Crane” Bedi for towing all the vehicles that were parked wrongly.

 

4. Opened a magazine called “Narcotics” so that normal people get awareness about drugs

She also worked in the Narcotics Bureau and cracked down on the drug peddling by not just fighting drugs, but by making people aware.

 

5. Before it became cool, she opened an un-inaugurated bridge because it was causing congestion without a ceremony by a politician

The bridge was supposed to be inaugurated by no other than Indira Gandhi and was shut, increasing traffic on the adjoining roads. Kiran Bedi went ahead and inaugurated it herself.

 

6. She had not taken ONE privileged leave in 10 years of her career until she was posted in Goa and her daughter became critically ill

And she was still rejected the leave because all politicians were angry with her conduct pertaining to the bridge.

 

7. When posted in Mizoram, the terrorist organization of Hmars People Convention surrendered after they saw that the police is just too strong

And this is after she had reduced alcohol consumption and made the area safe.

Her work in Tihar jail though deserves special mention –

 

8. At the time she joined there were 9700 inmates and they were mostly males and the conditions were pathetic

Tihar jail’s capacity back then was just 2500 and yet 9700 people were crammed into it. She talked to them like humans and stopped all the drug and liquor peddling that happened inside the prison.

 

9. She made them do yoga, opened a library and made all the inmates literate.

Indira Gandhi Open University opened center inside so that inmates could study and find a job after they were released.

 

10. For her efforts, she won the Magsaysay award. Her efforts in improving inmates’ lives was replicated even in western countries.

Her work was so well recognized that the then US President Bill Clinton invited her for dinner twice at the White House but the Union government rejected it because they held a grudge of envy.

 

11. She used to report to the police stations at 9 AM to check whether the officers are present for duty or not

There is no reason for the Inspector General to report to the police stations at 9 AM, but she did this practice so that the officers under her become disciplined.

 

12. She brought the awareness of suicides, gender sensitivity, and human rights to policing when she designed curriculum

She introduced a curriculum to the police that was not heard of earlier. Sensitivity and a softened approach towards criminals and victims alike was added to the police curriculum.

 

13. Bedi was the first woman who was appointed to the United Nations as a civilian police adviser

Kiran Bedi was the police officer or country needed and that is why she could not really survive. She was hated by the local politicians and envied by her superiors. that is why she was posted to jail and traffic instead of crime, where she could have excelled. But she didn’t stop just because the promotions and postings did not go like she wanted.

She made Tihar into a place where prisoners were transformed and Chandigarh and Delhi safe for women. She brought back traffic rules wherever she went, and made loyal subordinate officers out of her juniors.

She fought drug addiction, corruption, bureaucracy, political parties – all of them and came out victorious.

It si just too wishful to think that we need more officers like that.

And too unrealistic to think that we can get one who will get good work done even when the whole government is against her.

Will there be another Kiran Bedi – male or female?

Cover Image Source