Revolutionary reformer

TO many women across the Indian subcontinent, Dr Kiran Bedi is an icon.

As India's first female police officer and the reformer of Asia's most notorious jail, the activist is one of the nation's leading feminists.

When she arrives in Bahrain next week to speak at a lecture organised by the Indian Ladies Association, dozens will flock to hear her.

"This lecture will be an inspiring take on philanthropy by one of the greatest reformers of our time," explained the association's president, Nivedita Dutta. "Dr Kiran Bedi has time and again been voted one of the most influential Indians and India's most admired woman."

As a champion of equality her work has helped to alter patriarchal systems of law enforcement. And to many, the idealistic reformer stands as a symbol of the empowering and unifying role that women can play. "The role of women for the future is to help move towards a world of peace, harmony, equality of opportunities, growth and development and justice for all," she told GulfWeekly.

"This will only be possible if we educate and bring up our current generation of daughters to play this role.

"I do see the possibility of a new world provided we start with this vision early for our children."

In the male-dominated world of the Indian Police Service, Dr Bedi relentlessly promoted the role of women through 35 years of service.

"Women's professional and finely-tuned soft skills have become an essential arm of the service," she said.

She secured her reputation as India's toughest cop, fighting the narcotics trade and famously having Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's car towed away after finding it illegally parked.

In the 1990s, as Delhi's inspector-general of prisons she was in charge of the overcrowded and dangerous Tihar prison, where some 9,000 prisoners are incarcerated.

Dr Bedi's goal was to bring a semblance of hope to the prisoners by introducing ancient Buddhist meditation techniques, yoga and literacy classes. Her work has resulted in films, books, international recognition and the 1994 Ramon Magsaysay Award, (dubbed Asia's Nobel Peace Prize).

In 2003 her peacekeeping skills were internationally utilised when she was appointed as adviser to the UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

She led, planned and trained officers for16 peacekeeping missions in Africa, Europe and Asia. "The post was a breakthrough and milestone for any Indian police officer," she said.

"One of the best outcomes of my UN presence was the introduction of Indian women police officers in peacekeeping. I played a persuasive role in getting the government to open up to the policy, agreeing to send women police units as I knew they were the best in the world and our country could spare them.

"It was just a question of breaking through the old mindsets and forcing them to change. Today Indian women police units all over the world are making a difference and earning a great name for India." But she admits that India, and by extension the world, has a long way to go before gender equality and the full potential of women is recognised.

After retiring from the police service last year, Dr Bedi has had more time to concentrate on her two charities.

The India Vision Foundation and the Navjyoti India Foundation reach 10,000 people offering health care, training and education for women and children in India's slums, villages and prisons. Dr Bedi's daughter is following in her footsteps and supports both charities.

After decades of relentless work, the dedicated activist shows no sign of slowing down.

"Currently my public commitments appear to be getting more intense. Let's see where it goes and how far... But it will all be in the spirit of empowerment for those in need."

l Dr Bedi will speak at the Bahrain Society of Engineers, on March 26 at 7 pm. Tickets are BD3 for members and BD5 for guests. For more information call 39850372 or 39167429.