Kiran Bedi: How I remade one of India's toughest prisons

Summary

The speaker, a product of progressive Indian parents in the '50s and '60s, shares her journey from a privileged upbringing to joining the Indian Police Service. With a philosophy of life emphasizing personal responsibility, she redefines policing concepts by focusing on prevention. Her compassionate and tough approach led her to transform a notorious prison into an educational ashram, introducing meditation and education to inmates. The narrative highlights her pioneering efforts in prison reform and her current work in education and anti-corruption movements, illustrating her commitment to justice and societal change.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👧‍👧 The speaker comes from a family of four girls who were given a rare opportunity for education in India during the '50s and '60s, defying traditional gender roles.
• 🌍 The speaker's father had a vision to spread his daughters across the world, which came true with each daughter living in different countries.
• 📚 The speaker's philosophy of life is based on the belief that 90% of life's events are a result of one's own actions, and the remaining 10% are uncontrollable circumstances.
• 👮‍♀️ The speaker joined the Indian Police Service, bringing a unique perspective focused on prevention, rather than just detection or punishment.
• 🚗 A notable event in her career was issuing a parking ticket to the Prime Minister of India, demonstrating her commitment to equal and tough policing.
• 🏛️ The speaker was assigned to a prison with a predominantly male inmate population, including criminals she had previously apprehended.
• 🙏 She introduced prayer and meditation programs in the prison, aiming to transform the environment from a den of criminals to a place of rehabilitation.
• 📚 An education program was initiated in the prison with the support of the community, providing classes for all inmates and transforming the prison into an ashram.
• 🤝 The speaker believes in the power of volunteerism and community support, as seen in the successful implementation of the prison education program without government funding.
• 🔄 The speaker's work in the prison and with the police focused on addressing the distortion of the mind, which she believes is the root cause of crime.
• 🚩 Currently, the speaker is involved in social movements, particularly education for under-served children and an anti-corruption movement in India.

Q & A

What was unique about the storyteller's family in India during the '50s and '60s?

The storyteller's family was unique because they had four daughters and no sons, and the father decided to educate all four daughters, which was unconventional at the time when education was primarily for boys who would inherit businesses.

What did the storyteller's father say about his daughters' future?

The storyteller's father said he was going to spread all four daughters in the four corners of the world, which eventually happened with one becoming British, another American, the third Canadian, and the storyteller remaining in India.

What life philosophy did the storyteller's parents impart to her?

The storyteller's parents taught her that life is on an incline and one must either go up or come down. They also emphasized that out of 100 things that happen in life, 90 are creations of one's own and should be enjoyed or learned from, while 10 are nature-sent and beyond one's control.

How did the storyteller's upbringing influence her decision to join the Indian Police Service?

The storyteller's upbringing, with a focus on education and the unique opportunities she had compared to other girls, influenced her to join the Indian Police Service. She was conscious of the fact that what her parents were giving her was something unique, and she wanted to make the most of it.

What was the storyteller's new definition of policing in India?

The storyteller redefined policing in India to include 'power to prevent,' which was a new concept at the time. Traditionally, policing was defined as having the power to detect and punish, but she believed in the importance of prevention as well.

What significant event did the storyteller mention regarding the Prime Minister's car?

The storyteller mentioned an event where the Prime Minister of India was given a parking ticket for the first time, an action that she took as part of her commitment to equal and tough policing.

Why was the storyteller sent to a prison assignment as a police officer?

The storyteller was sent to a prison assignment because her superiors thought it would be a way to 'lock her up' and prevent her from making waves in the police force, as she was known for her uncompromising stance on justice.

How did the storyteller change the prison environment with education?

The storyteller introduced an education program in the prison with community support and volunteerism, as there was no government budget for it. This initiative transformed the prison into an ashram, with prisoners and volunteers as teachers, and donated materials for learning.

What was the impact of introducing meditation in the prison?

Introducing meditation in the prison was a courageous step that transformed the environment. It addressed the distortion of the prisoners' minds, which was seen as the root cause of crime, and helped in creating a more peaceful and reflective atmosphere.

What is the storyteller's current focus in her movements?

The storyteller is currently focused on movements for education of under-served children and an anti-corruption movement in India. She is also involved in drafting an ombudsman bill for the government of India.

How did the storyteller address the issue of complaints and grievances in the prison?

The storyteller introduced a feedback mechanism in the form of a petition box to listen to the complaints and grievances of the prisoners. This box was considered a 'magic box' and a 'sensitive box' that allowed prisoners to express their feelings about the prison.