Obstacles? Never, they were challenges

Kiran Bedi, once called Krane Bedi8217; for she had dared to tow away the then Prime Minister8217;s vehicle parked in the No-Parking zone during her stint in Delhi Traffic Police. The first woman IPS officer of the country, the winner of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 8217;94 and more recently the Swiss-German Joseph Beuys Award for holistic and innovative management. One who created news, and controversies too, wherever she has been posted to, whether in the Narcotics Control Bureau or as Inspector General of Tihar Prisons. But that is her way of functioning for she dares to enter the intricate and complex areas of her assigned task which are normally neglected in this stinking world of bureaucratise.

Kiran came to her favourite city, where she used to cycle around while doing her post-graduation in political science, as part of a promo drive for her Tihar travails, It8217;s Always Possible. She had an autograph-signing spree at the Capital Book Depot and gave a gripping talk at the Rotary club joint meeting. In between, she spoke to Newsline. So this first person8217; is more a blend of all the tailing8217; that we did. Clad in a maroon shirt, beige jacket and matching trousers, sporting a golden tooth, Kiran mingled with her favourite Chandigarhians while charming them with her dynamism and spontaneity.

So, Kiran, was there any kind of personal vendetta while compiling the Tihar saga? 8220;I never nurtured any kind of vendetta in my life even when my life was made complicated by others. There is no space for vendetta in my scheme of things. It was only positive anger at what I encountered at Tihar and positive anger always gives rise to positive action. Vendetta can only hurt you, not yield anything.8221; But nevertheless she does not mind making fun of her predecessors who preferred the headquarters to the rat-infested IG8217;s office for they could stay close to the power-centre.

Kiran wrote in the preface to her book that posting in Tihar was an opportunity for her to focus on the kind of work closest to her heart: reaching out to people in dire need. The reaching out8217; episodes are very touching, like that of a prisoner who was released while her Vipassana meditation programme was on. 8220;The judge had to extend his date of release for he felt he would be better equipped to face the world after the programme.8221; The education process was also revolutionary. In fact it began with the first step of introduction of the prisoner. 8220;This is called Mulaiza and the prisoners, on their arrival in the jail, are often asked about the crime committed by them. But I changed it into a questionnaire on their education and socio-economic aspects.8221; And the cartoons in the book drawn by the inmates stand testimony to the prodding they received from her.

But now that you are out of the prison, what has happened to the reformasi8217;? 8220;Many of the programmes have stayed on like the vocational training and education. Some of them got institutionalised like the mobile complaint box.8221; The inmates who felt transformed were Kiran8217;s main volunteers and world media took note of it when a political science teacher, who helped start an-inhouse magazine edited by an inmate, remarked, 8220;Tihar is unrecognisable from a year ago.8221; For the prisoners used to while away their unending days, eating insect-eaten food, taking TB medicines for even minor ailment and flying on to another nether world on the wings of drugs.

8220;Instead of getting consummated in that closed graveyard, we let it open and allowed the fresh air of change come in.8221; But life has never been easy for her what with her own wards turning against her plan to convert Tihar into a no-smoking zone8217;. 8220;That was the first time I felt cold sweat trickling down my sides.8221; But her strategy of making them realise the bad effects of smoking coupled with providing alternate therapy through music and fresh juice led the inmates themselves to fulfill her dream. Incidents like that were plenty, but 8220;I will not call them obstacles, they were challenges to my work. And there was no time to think about anything for it was time for correction. And I never documented anything. When I set out to write the book, it was the petitions given by the prisoners that formed the base for me.8221; Nevertheless critics yak about her inconsequential reforms when the real problem of over-crowding remains unsolved. But, folks, that is for the judiciary to do, for out of the 9700 inmates, 90per cent awaits trial and have to tide along the sluggish pace of courts.

During the interaction with her listeners, one pretty young thing asked Kiran, 8220;you have reformed the prisoners. What about reforming the police themselves?8221; Kiran had a twinkle in her eyes, 8220;that is what I am doing right now.8221; For she is posted as Joint Commissioner in charge of Training with the Delhi Police. 8220;I impart training to all ranks.8221; And another one wanted to know where could we find more Kiran Bedis, echoing sociologist Ashish Nandy who wondered, 8220;but I doubt we can find so many Kiran Bedis8221;.But Kiran did not think twice to answer, 8220;Right here in the Panjab University. I saw many today when I went to my Political Science Department8221;.

But this Iron Lady8217; has one intense desire left in her career that has 11 years more to it; and that is to police the city she is so fond of. 8220;Chandigarh has the potential to be a role model in city-policing. If I don8217;t get a chance now, I wish to be born again as an IPS officer and come here as the IGP.8221; Well, is she trying to convey any message to the administration, taking into account the present melee in the deputation of SSP here? Any takers for granting the wish in this birth? Krane8217; is needed in this City Bureaucratic.