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.

Outlines

00:00

👨‍👧‍👧 Breaking Traditions: A Family's Vision for Their Daughters

This paragraph introduces the speaker's background, highlighting her parents' progressive stance on education for their four daughters in a time when it was uncommon for girls in India to receive a formal education. The speaker's father, in particular, is portrayed as a visionary who defied family expectations to provide his daughters with the best education possible. The speaker reflects on her unique upbringing and the philosophy of life imparted by her parents, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and the value of opportunities given to her. She also mentions her sisters, who, like her, have spread across the world, and her father's hope that they would each make a mark in their respective fields.

05:02

👮‍♀️ Redefining Policing and Prison Reform: A Journey of Transformation

In this paragraph, the speaker transitions from her personal story to her professional journey, starting with her entry into the Indian Police Service. She brings a fresh perspective to the field, redefining the concept of policing to include prevention as a key component. The speaker then discusses her unexpected assignment to a prison, which was initially seen as a punitive measure but turned into an opportunity for significant reform. She describes her approach to the prison population, which included initiating educational programs and meditation sessions, transforming the prison environment from a den of criminals to an ashram of learning and self-improvement. The speaker also mentions her current work in social movements, focusing on education for underprivileged children and anti-corruption efforts in India.

Keywords

💡Visionary

The term 'visionary' refers to someone who has the ability to think about and plan the future with imagination and originality. In the context of the video, the speaker's parents are described as visionary because they defied societal norms and chose to educate all their daughters, despite the prevailing belief that education was primarily for boys. This visionary approach set the foundation for the speaker's unique journey and success.

💡Inheritance

Inheritance typically means the act of receiving assets, titles, or property from someone after their death. In the script, it is mentioned that in traditional Indian society, boys were expected to inherit the family business, while girls were prepared for marriage. The speaker's father, however, chose a different path for his daughters, emphasizing education over the traditional inheritance of property.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. The speaker highlights the importance of education in her life, as her father's decision to educate his daughters was a radical act in the 1950s and 1960s India. This decision not only shaped the speaker's life but also her philosophy and approach to her career, particularly in her role in the Indian Police Service.

💡Philosophy of Life

A person's philosophy of life is a set of beliefs or principles that guide their actions and decisions. The speaker mentions that her parents instilled in her the philosophy that 90% of what happens in life is a result of one's own actions, and the remaining 10% is beyond control. This philosophy influenced her approach to life and work, particularly in her belief in personal responsibility and continuous learning.

💡Indian Police Service

The Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three all India services of the government of India. The speaker joined the IPS and brought a unique perspective to her role, focusing on prevention and correction rather than just detection and punishment. Her approach to policing was influenced by her upbringing and philosophy, leading to innovative concepts in the field.

💡Prevention

Prevention in the context of the video refers to the proactive measures taken to stop negative events or situations from happening. The speaker redefined the concept of policing by emphasizing the power to prevent, rather than just detect or punish crimes. This approach was a significant departure from traditional policing methods and reflects her belief in addressing the root causes of problems.

💡Prison Reform

Prison reform involves making changes to the prison system to improve the conditions for inmates and reduce recidivism. The speaker describes her experience in managing a prison, where she introduced education and meditation programs to transform the environment from a 'den of criminals' to an 'ashram,' promoting rehabilitation and personal growth among the prisoners.

💡Volunteerism

Volunteerism is the act of willingly giving one's time and effort for the common good without financial gain. In the script, the speaker talks about the lack of government budget for education in prisons and how she initiated a large-scale volunteer effort to provide education for prisoners, demonstrating the power of community support and collective action.

💡Meditation

Meditation is a practice of focusing the mind and achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. The speaker introduced meditation programs in prisons to address the 'distorted minds' that often lead to criminal behavior. She believed that meditation could help prisoners find inner peace and potentially reduce recidivism.

💡Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment. The speaker applied the concept of mindfulness to both the prison and police systems, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental states to improve behavior and interactions. This approach helped to break down barriers and foster a more cooperative and empathetic environment.

💡Anti-Corruption Movement

An anti-corruption movement is a social or political campaign aimed at reducing or eliminating corruption in public institutions. The speaker mentions her involvement in an anti-corruption movement in India, where she and a group of activists drafted an ombudsman bill to address corruption. This reflects her commitment to justice and her ongoing efforts to create positive change in society.

Highlights

The speaker comes from a unique Indian family with four girls, emphasizing the importance of education for girls in the '50s and '60s.

The father's defiance of traditional norms by educating all four daughters, despite societal expectations for girls to marry and not inherit business.

The speaker's parents envisioned their daughters spreading across the world, which came true with each daughter living in different countries.

The speaker's life philosophy based on the 90/10 rule, attributing most life events to personal creation and the remaining to uncontrollable circumstances.

The speaker's appreciation for the rare opportunities she received in education and extracurricular activities, contrasting with peers focused on marriage.

Joining the Indian Police Service with a vision of redefining policing to include power to prevent, not just detect or punish.

The introduction of a new concept of policing that emphasizes prevention over traditional reactive approaches.

The speaker's approach to dealing with criminals through prayer and education, aiming to change their behavior.

Initiating a large-scale education program in a prison with community support, despite lack of government funding.

Transforming a prison environment from a den of criminals to an ashram through the power of education.

The introduction of a meditation program for over 1,000 prisoners as a transformative step in addressing the root cause of crime.

The use of mindfulness and meditation to address distorted minds in both prisoners and police officers.

Implementing a feedback system through a petition box to listen to prisoners' complaints and grievances.

The speaker's current involvement in movements for education of under-served children and anti-corruption in India.

Drafting an ombudsman bill for the government of India as part of the anti-corruption movement.

The speaker's ambition to drive change through education and anti-corruption movements, reflecting her life's purpose.

Transcripts

Now I'm going to give you a story.

It's an Indian story about an Indian woman and her journey.

Let me begin with my parents.

I'm a product of this

visionary mother and father.

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.

My family, in my city,

and almost in the country, was unique.

We were four of us, not one,

and fortunately no boys.

We were four girls and no boys.

And my parents were part

of a landed property family.

My father defied his own grandfather,

almost to the point of disinheritance,

because he decided to educate

all four of us.

He sent us to one of the best schools in the city

and gave us the best education.

As I've said, when we're born, we don't choose our parents,

and when we go to school, we don't choose our school.

Children don't choose a school.

They just get the school which parents choose for them.

So this is the foundation time which I got.

I grew up like this, and so did my other three sisters.

And my father used to say at that time,

"I'm going to spread all my four daughters in four corners of the world."

I don't know if he really meant [that], but it happened.

I'm the only one who's left in India.

One is a British, another is an American

and the third is a Canadian.

So we are four of us in four corners of the world.

And since I said they're my role models,

I followed two things which my father and mother gave me.

One, they said, "Life is on an incline.

You either go up,

or you come down."

And the second thing, which has stayed with me,

which became my philosophy of life,

which made all the difference,

is: 100 things happen in your life, good or bad.

Out of 100, 90 are your creation.

They're good. They're your creation. Enjoy it.

If they're bad, they're your creation. Learn from it.

Ten are nature-sent over which you can't do a thing.

It's like a death of a relative,

or a cyclone, or a hurricane, or an earthquake.

You can't do a thing about it.

You've got to just respond to the situation.

But that response comes out of those 90 points.

Since I'm a product of this philosophy,

of 90/10,

and secondly, "life on an incline,"

that's the way I grew up

to be valuing what I got.

I'm a product of opportunities,

rare opportunities in the '50s and the '60s,

which girls didn't get,

and I was conscious of the fact that what my parents were giving me

was something unique.

Because all of my best school friends were getting dolled up

to get married with a lot of dowry,

and here I was with a tennis racket and going to school

and doing all kinds of extracurricular activities.

I thought I must tell you this.

Why I said this, is the background.

This is what comes next.

I joined the Indian Police Service as a tough woman,

a woman with indefatigable stamina,

because I used to run for my tennis titles, etc.

But I joined the Indian Police Service,

and then it was a new pattern of policing.

For me the policing stood for power to correct,

power to prevent and power to detect.

This is something like a new definition ever given in policing in India --

the power to prevent.

Because normally it was always said, power to detect, and that's it,

or power to punish.

But I decided no, it's a power to prevent,

because that's what I learned when I was growing up.

How do I prevent the 10 and never make it more than 10?

So this was how it came into my service,

and it was different from the men.

I didn't want to make it different from the men, but it was different,

because this was the way I was different.

And I redefined policing concepts in India.

I'm going to take you on two journeys,

my policing journey and my prison journey.

What you see, if you see the title

called "PM's car held."

This was the first time a prime minister of India

was given a parking ticket.

(Laughter)

That's the first time in India,

and I can tell you, that's the last time you're hearing about it.

It'll never happen again in India,

because now it was once and forever.

And the rule was, because I was sensitive,

I was compassionate, I was very sensitive to injustice,

and I was very pro-justice.

That's the reason, as a woman, I joined the Indian Police Service.

I had other options, but I didn't choose them.

So I'm going to move on.

This is about tough policing, equal policing.

Now I was known as "here's a woman that's not going to listen."

So I was sent to all indiscriminate postings,

postings which others would say no.

I now went to a prison assignment as a police officer.

Normally police officers don't want to do prison.

They sent me to prison to lock me up,

thinking, "Now there will be no cars

and no VIPs to be given tickets to.

Let's lock her up."

Here I got a prison assignment.

This was a prison assignment which was one big den of criminals.

Obviously, it was.

But 10,000 men,

of which only 400 were women -- 10,000 --

9,000 plus about 600

were men.

Terrorists, rapists,

burglars, gangsters --

some of them I'd sent to jail

as a police officer outside.

And then how did I deal with them?

The first day when I went in,

I didn't know how to look at them.

And I said, "Do you pray?" When I looked at the group, I said, "Do you pray?"

They saw me as a young, short woman wearing a pathan suit.

I said, "Do you pray?"

And they didn't say anything.

I said, "Do you pray? Do you want to pray?"

They said, "Yes." I said, "All right, let's pray."

I prayed for them, and things started to change.

This is a visual of education inside the prison.

Friends, this has never happened,

where everybody in the prison studies.

I started this with community support.

Government had no budget.

It was one of the finest, largest volunteerism

in any prison in the world.

This was initiated in Delhi prison.

You see one sample

of a prisoner teaching a class.

These are hundreds of classes.

Nine to eleven, every prisoner went into the education program --

the same den in which they thought

they would put me behind the bar and things would be forgotten.

We converted this into an ashram --

from a prison to an ashram through education.

I think that's the bigger change.

It was the beginning of a change.

Teachers were prisoners. Teachers were volunteers.

Books came from donated schoolbooks.

Stationery was donated.

Everything was donated,

because there was no budget of education for the prison.

Now if I'd not done that,

it would have been a hellhole.

That's the second landmark.

I want to show you some moments of history in my journey,

which probably you would never ever get to see anywhere in the world.

One, the numbers you'll never get to see.

Secondly, this concept.

This was a meditation program inside the prison

of over 1,000 prisoners.

One thousand prisoners who sat in meditation.

This was one of the most courageous steps

I took as a prison governor.

And this is what transformed.

You want to know more about this,

go and see this film, "Doing Time, Doing Vipassana."

You will hear about it, and you will love it.

And write to me on KiranBedi.com,

and I'll respond to you.

Let me show you the next slide.

I took the same concept of mindfulness,

because, why did I bring meditation into the Indian prison?

Because crime is a product of a distorted mind.

It was distortion of mind which needed to be addressed to control.

Not by preaching, not by telling,

not by reading, but by addressing your mind.

I took the same thing to the police,

because police, equally, were prisoners of their minds,

and they felt as if it was "we" and "they,"

and that the people don't cooperate.

This worked.

This is a feedback box called a petition box.

This is a concept which I introduced

to listen to complaints, listen to grievances.

This was a magic box.

This was a sensitive box.

This is how a prisoner drew how they felt about the prison.

If you see somebody in the blue --

yeah, this guy --

he was a prisoner, and he was a teacher.

And you see, everybody's busy. There was no time to waste.

Let me wrap it up.

I'm currently into movements,

movements of education

of the under-served children,

which is thousands -- India is all about thousands.

Secondly is about the anti-corruption movement in India.

That's a big way

we, as a small group of activists,

have drafted an ombudsman bill for the government of India.

Friends, you will hear a lot about it.

That's the movement at the moment I'm driving,

and that's the movement and ambition of my life.

Thank you very much.

(Applause)

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.